Ticketmaster's refund policy depends on who cancelled the event, not on your reason for wanting your money back

Ticketmaster will refund your full ticket price if the event is cancelled or postponed by the venue or artist. If you simply change your mind or can no longer attend, Ticketmaster does not refund your money — but you may be able to resell your tickets through their resale platform and recover some or all of what you paid. The refund process and timeline differ based on whether the cancellation came from the event side or whether you're trying to recoup money through resale.

Understanding the difference between these two paths matters because one puts money back in your account automatically, while the other requires you to find a buyer and wait for payment to clear.

Key Takeaways

  • Ticketmaster refunds the full ticket price automatically when an event is cancelled or postponed, usually within 30 days.
  • If you want to cancel for personal reasons, Ticketmaster does not refund you, but you can list your tickets on their resale platform to recover money from another buyer.
  • Refunds for cancelled events go back to your original payment method, though the exact timeline depends on your bank or credit card company.
  • Resale prices on Ticketmaster's platform can be higher or lower than face value, and the platform takes a percentage of the resale price.
  • Some events have specific refund windows or non-refundable ticket types, so check your confirmation email for the exact terms of your purchase.

When Ticketmaster automatically refunds your money

If the artist, venue, or promoter cancels or postpones an event, Ticketmaster processes a refund to your original payment method. You do not need to request this — the refund is automatic once the cancellation is announced. The full ticket price is refunded, including the face value of the ticket itself.

The refund typically appears in your account within 30 days, though the exact timing depends on your bank or credit card company. If you paid with a credit card, the refund may show as a credit within 5 to 10 business days, but your card issuer may take longer to post it to your account. If you paid with a debit card or bank transfer, the timeline can stretch to 10 to 30 business days. Ticketmaster's part of the process is usually faster than the banking delay.

Fees paid at purchase — such as facility charges, service fees, and order processing fees — are also refunded when an event is cancelled. You get back the entire amount you paid, not just the base ticket price.

How to resell tickets you no longer want to attend

Ticketmaster's resale platform lets you list tickets you own and set your own price. You access this through your Ticketmaster account under "My Events" or "Sell Tickets." You can price your tickets at face value, above it, or below it — the market and demand determine what buyers will pay. Ticketmaster takes a percentage of the resale price as a commission, typically 10 to 20 percent depending on the event, so your net proceeds are lower than the listing price.

Once you list your tickets, they appear to other Ticketmaster users searching for that event. When someone buys them, the payment goes into your Ticketmaster account, and you can transfer it to your bank account or use it to buy other tickets. The buyer receives the tickets digitally or via mail, depending on the event type and how close it is to the show date.

Resale prices fluctuate based on demand. Popular events or shows close to the date may resell for more than you paid; less popular events or those far in the future may resell for less. There is no may provide you will recover your full purchase price, and if no one buys your tickets before the event, you lose the money entirely.

Fees you pay and whether they're refundable

When you buy Ticketmaster tickets, your total includes the base ticket price plus several fees: facility charges (set by the venue), service fees (Ticketmaster's cut), and order processing fees. If the event is cancelled, all of these are refunded. If you resell your tickets, the resale commission is deducted from what you receive, so you do not pay it twice.

Some events are marked as non-refundable at the time of purchase. These are rare and usually only apply to special circumstances like charity auctions or limited-release events. Your confirmation email will state whether your tickets are refundable or non-refundable. If they are non-refundable and the event is cancelled, Ticketmaster still refunds you — the non-refundable label only applies to personal cancellations.

What happens if an event is rescheduled instead of cancelled

When an event is postponed to a new date, you have the choice to keep your tickets for the new date or request a refund. Ticketmaster typically gives you a window of time — often 30 days — to decide. If you do nothing, your tickets remain valid for the rescheduled date. If you request a refund during that window, you get your money back in full.

If the rescheduled date falls outside your ability to attend and you miss the refund window, your only option is to resell the tickets through Ticketmaster's platform. There is no refund available after the window closes, so check your confirmation email for the exact deadline.

Disputing a charge or requesting a refund directly from Ticketmaster

If you believe you were charged in error, or if a refund for a cancelled event did not arrive after 30 days, contact Ticketmaster's customer service through their website or app. You can also call their phone line, though wait times are often long. Have your order number and confirmation email ready.

Ticketmaster's customer service can investigate whether a refund was processed and, if it was, confirm the timeline with your bank. If the refund was never initiated, they can reprocess it. If you paid with a credit card and the refund was issued but never appeared, your card company may have rejected it — in that case, Ticketmaster can reissue it or offer an alternative payment method.

If Ticketmaster refuses to refund a cancelled event or if you believe the refund was processed incorrectly, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. Provide them with your Ticketmaster confirmation email and proof that the event was cancelled. The card issuer will investigate and may reverse the charge on your behalf.

Tickets purchased through third-party sellers or resellers

If you bought your tickets from a reseller — not directly from Ticketmaster — the refund policy depends on the reseller's terms, not Ticketmaster's. StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, and other secondary marketplaces have their own refund rules. Most do not refund if you change your mind, but they may refund if the event is cancelled.

Check the terms of sale on the reseller's website before you buy. If the event is cancelled and the reseller does not refund you, you may be able to dispute the charge with your credit card company, though the outcome is not may provide. Ticketmaster cannot process a refund for tickets you did not buy directly from them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I just don't want to go anymore?

No. Ticketmaster does not refund tickets because you change your mind or can no longer attend. Your only option is to resell the tickets through Ticketmaster's resale platform and hope to recover some or all of your money. The resale price depends on demand and how close the event is to the show date.

How long does it take to get a refund after an event is cancelled?

Ticketmaster processes the refund within 30 days, but your bank or credit card company may take an additional 5 to 30 business days to post it to your account. Check your confirmation email for Ticketmaster's specific timeline, and contact your bank if the refund does not appear within that window.

What if I resell my tickets but the event gets cancelled before the buyer receives them?

The buyer receives a refund from Ticketmaster, not from you. You keep the money from the resale. This is one reason resale carries risk — you are responsible for the tickets until they are delivered, but you have no control over whether the event actually happens.

Can I return physical tickets I printed out?

No. Ticketmaster does not accept returns of printed tickets. If you have physical tickets and want to cancel, your only option is to resell them through Ticketmaster's platform or sell them privately to another person. Digital tickets cannot be returned either.

Do I get a refund if the event is rescheduled to a date I can't attend?

Yes, but only if you request it within the refund window Ticketmaster provides — usually 30 days after the reschedule is announced. Check your confirmation email for the exact deadline. After that window closes, you must resell the tickets to recover your money.