Ticketmaster refunds depend on why you're requesting one and when you request it

Ticketmaster's refund policy is not one policy — it splits into three paths based on whether the event was cancelled, postponed, or you simply changed your mind. If the event itself was cancelled, Ticketmaster must refund you automatically within a set timeframe. If the event was postponed or rescheduled, you can request a refund but Ticketmaster is not required to give one — they may offer a credit instead. If you bought tickets and now don't want them, Ticketmaster's standard policy does not allow refunds, though some venues or artists override this rule for their own events.

The fastest way to start is to log into your Ticketmaster account, find the event in your order history, and look for a refund or cancellation notice. If the event was cancelled, a refund button usually appears there. If you don't see one, or if you need to request a refund for a postponed event, you'll need to contact Ticketmaster directly — either through the website's help centre or by phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancelled events trigger automatic refunds from Ticketmaster, usually within 30 days, though the exact timeline depends on your payment method.
  • Postponed or rescheduled events do not automatically refund — you must request one, and Ticketmaster may offer a credit to a future purchase instead.
  • Refunds for changed-mind cancellations are not Ticketmaster's standard policy, but some venues and artists allow them within a narrow window before the event.
  • Contact Ticketmaster through your account's order history first, as that's where cancellation notices and refund options appear.
  • Refunds to credit cards take longer than refunds to debit cards or PayPal, sometimes 5 to 10 business days after Ticketmaster processes the refund.

Refunds when an event is cancelled

When Ticketmaster or the venue cancels an event entirely, you are may have access to to a refund. Ticketmaster is required by law in most jurisdictions to return your money, and they typically process this automatically. You do not need to request it — the refund should appear in your account within a few days of the cancellation announcement, and you'll receive an email confirmation.

The refund goes back to your original payment method. If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit to that card within 5 to 10 business days after Ticketmaster initiates it, though your bank may take additional time to post it. If you paid with a debit card or PayPal, the timeline is often faster — 2 to 5 business days. If you paid with a Ticketmaster gift card or account credit, the money returns to that account immediately and you can use it to buy other tickets.

If you don't see a refund appear within 30 days of the cancellation, contact Ticketmaster's customer service. Have your order number ready — it appears in your confirmation email and in your account under order history.

Refunds when an event is postponed or rescheduled

A postponed event is not the same as a cancelled one. When Ticketmaster postpones a show to a new date, they are not required to refund you — the tickets remain valid for the new date. However, you do have the right to request a refund if the new date doesn't work for you.

To request a refund for a postponed event, go to your Ticketmaster account, find the event in your order history, and look for a refund option. If one appears, you can request it there. If no option appears on the website, contact Ticketmaster's customer service by phone or through the help centre and explain that you want to refund your tickets for the rescheduled date.

Ticketmaster often offers a credit to your Ticketmaster account instead of a cash refund. This credit can be used to buy tickets to any other event on Ticketmaster. If you prefer a cash refund rather than a credit, you can request that when you contact them, though they may decline and insist on the credit. Some venues and artists have their own policies that override Ticketmaster's — check the event page or the venue's website to see if they allow cash refunds for postponements.

Refunds for changed-mind cancellations

Ticketmaster's standard policy does not allow refunds if you simply change your mind and no longer want to attend. Once you buy tickets, they are yours to keep or transfer. However, this rule is not universal — some artists, venues, and event promoters set their own refund windows that override Ticketmaster's default.

Before you buy, check the event page on Ticketmaster for a refund policy specific to that show. Some events allow refunds up to 48 hours before the event, others up to 7 days, and some not at all. This information appears near the ticket price or in the event details section. If you don't see a policy listed, the standard no-refund rule applies.

If you bought tickets and now want to cancel, your best option is to resell them through Ticketmaster's resale platform or a secondary market like StubHub or SeatGeek. You'll recover some or all of your money depending on demand for the event.

How to contact Ticketmaster for a refund

The fastest way to contact Ticketmaster is through your account. Log in, go to your order history, find the event, and look for a "Help" or "Refund" button. This takes you to a page specific to that order where you can see cancellation status, request a refund if one is available, or start a chat with customer service.

If you can't find a refund option in your account, or if you need to speak to someone, Ticketmaster's phone line is available during business hours. The number appears on the Ticketmaster website under "Contact Us". Wait times can be long during high-traffic periods like major event sales or after a large cancellation.

You can also email Ticketmaster through their help centre, though email responses typically take 2 to 5 business days. Have your order number, the event name, and the date you purchased the tickets ready for any contact method you choose.

What happens after you request a refund

Once you request a refund, Ticketmaster processes it within 5 to 10 business days. You'll receive an email confirmation that your refund has been initiated. The money then travels back to your original payment method, and the timeline from there depends on your bank or payment processor.

Credit card refunds typically take 5 to 10 additional business days to appear on your statement, because credit card companies batch process refunds. Debit card refunds often appear within 2 to 5 business days. PayPal refunds usually show up within 1 to 3 business days. If 30 days pass and you still don't see the refund, contact your bank or payment processor — sometimes refunds get stuck in their system rather than Ticketmaster's.

If Ticketmaster offers you a credit instead of a cash refund, that credit appears in your Ticketmaster account immediately and never expires. You can use it to buy tickets to any event on Ticketmaster at any time in the future.

Disputing a refund that didn't arrive

If Ticketmaster says they processed your refund but the money never reached your account, start by checking with your bank or payment processor. Call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask whether the refund arrived and was rejected, or whether it never came through at all. Sometimes banks flag refunds as suspicious and hold them temporarily.

If your bank confirms they never received the refund, go back to Ticketmaster with proof — a screenshot of the refund confirmation email and your bank statement showing no credit. Contact Ticketmaster again and provide this documentation. Ask them to reissue the refund or investigate what happened to the original one.

If Ticketmaster refuses to refund you and you believe you're may have access to to one, you can file a dispute with your credit card company or bank. This is called a chargeback. Contact your bank and explain that you paid for an event that was cancelled or that Ticketmaster failed to process a refund they promised. Your bank will investigate and may reverse the charge, returning the money to you. Be aware that filing a chargeback may result in Ticketmaster closing your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I bought tickets but the artist postponed the tour?

You can request a refund, but Ticketmaster is not required to give you one — the tickets remain valid for the new date. However, you have the right to ask. Contact Ticketmaster through your account or by phone and request a refund for the rescheduled date. They may offer a credit instead of cash, depending on the artist's policy.

How long does it take to get a refund after I request one?

Ticketmaster processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days. After that, the money travels back to your original payment method, which takes an additional 2 to 10 business days depending on whether you used a credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Credit cards are usually the slowest.

What if Ticketmaster offers me a credit instead of a refund?

A credit stays in your Ticketmaster account and can be used to buy tickets to any other event. It never expires. If you prefer cash, you can ask Ticketmaster to refund you instead, though they may decline depending on the event's policy.

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

Ticketmaster's standard policy does not allow refunds for changed-mind cancellations. However, some events have their own refund windows — check the event page before you buy. If no refund window exists, your option is to resell the tickets through Ticketmaster's resale platform or a secondary market.

What do I do if my refund never showed up after 30 days?

Contact your bank first to confirm whether the refund arrived and was held, or never came through. If your bank says they never received it, go back to Ticketmaster with proof and ask them to reissue it. If Ticketmaster refuses, you can file a chargeback dispute with your bank.