Google Wallet can store your Ticketmaster tickets, but only if Ticketmaster sends them there
You cannot manually add a Ticketmaster ticket to Google Wallet the way you would add a credit card. Instead, Ticketmaster must send the ticket to your Google Wallet automatically. This happens when you buy tickets through Ticketmaster's website or app and choose to receive them digitally. The ticket then appears in your Google Wallet as a pass you can tap at the venue entrance.
The process works only for events where Ticketmaster has set up digital delivery to Google Wallet. Not every venue or event supports this yet, though it is becoming more common. If your tickets do not arrive in Google Wallet after purchase, you will need to use Ticketmaster's app or website to access them instead.
Key Takeaways
- Ticketmaster must send tickets to Google Wallet automatically during purchase — you cannot transfer them manually afterward.
- Digital tickets appear in Google Wallet only if the event venue has enabled this feature with Ticketmaster.
- You need a Google account and Google Wallet installed on your phone to receive tickets this way.
- If tickets do not arrive in Google Wallet within a few minutes of purchase, check your Ticketmaster app or email for a download link instead.
- At the venue, you can show the ticket from Google Wallet or from Ticketmaster's app — both work the same way.
What happens when you buy Ticketmaster tickets online
When you purchase tickets through Ticketmaster.com or the Ticketmaster app, you reach a confirmation page that shows your order details. If the event supports digital delivery to Google Wallet, Ticketmaster will offer you the option to send tickets there. You do not have to do anything extra — if you complete the purchase, Ticketmaster will automatically send the tickets to the email address linked to your Google account.
The tickets usually arrive in Google Wallet within a few minutes. You will see a notification on your phone, and the ticket will appear as a pass in your Google Wallet app. The pass shows the event name, date, time, seat or section information, and a barcode that the venue will scan at entry.
How to set up Google Wallet to receive Ticketmaster tickets
You need three things in place before Ticketmaster can send tickets to your Google Wallet. First, you must have a Google account — the same one you use for Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google service. Second, you need Google Wallet installed on your phone. Third, your phone's email address in Google Wallet must match the email address you use when buying Ticketmaster tickets.
To check your Google Wallet email, open the Google Wallet app on your phone and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Look for the email address shown there. When you buy Ticketmaster tickets, use that same email address during checkout. If the addresses do not match, Ticketmaster will not know where to send the tickets.
Google Wallet is built into most Android phones and available as a free app on iPhones from the App Store. If you do not see it on your phone, search for "Google Wallet" in your phone's app store and install it. You do not need to add a payment method to Google Wallet to receive event tickets — the app works for passes and tickets even if you never use it to pay for anything.
What to do if tickets do not appear in Google Wallet
If you bought tickets but they did not show up in Google Wallet after five minutes, check your email first. Ticketmaster sends a confirmation email with a link to your tickets. Open that email and tap the link — it will either take you to the Ticketmaster app or to a webpage where you can view and download your tickets. You can use this link every time you need to show your tickets at the venue.
The most common reason tickets do not reach Google Wallet is that the event does not support digital delivery to Google Wallet yet. Ticketmaster is still rolling out this feature, so older events or smaller venues may not have it enabled. In these cases, your tickets will be available only through the Ticketmaster app or website.
If you bought tickets on behalf of someone else, make sure you used their email address during checkout. Tickets are tied to the email address on the order, so if you used your own email but want the tickets on someone else's phone, you will need to forward them the Ticketmaster confirmation email or transfer the tickets through Ticketmaster's app.
How to show your tickets at the venue
On the day of the event, open Google Wallet on your phone and find the ticket pass. The pass will display the barcode or QR code that the venue needs to scan. Hold your phone up to the scanner at the entrance — you do not need to tap or unlock anything. The scanner will read the code and let you in.
You can also use the Ticketmaster app to show your tickets if you prefer. Both Google Wallet and Ticketmaster work the same way at the gate. If your phone battery is low, take a screenshot of the barcode beforehand and show that instead — most venues will scan a screenshot just as easily as a live pass.
If you have multiple tickets on one order, Google Wallet will show them all in one pass. You can swipe through them to show each barcode separately as people enter.
Transferring tickets to someone else
If you bought tickets but want someone else to have them on their phone, you can transfer them through the Ticketmaster app. Open Ticketmaster, find the order, and look for a "Transfer" or "Share" button. Enter the recipient's email address, and Ticketmaster will send them a link to accept the tickets. Once they accept, the tickets will move to their account and can be sent to their Google Wallet.
Some venues do not allow ticket transfers, so you may see a message saying transfers are not available for that event. In those cases, you will need to bring the tickets yourself or show them from your phone on behalf of the other person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a Ticketmaster ticket to Google Wallet if I already bought it?
No. Tickets must be sent to Google Wallet at the time of purchase. If you bought tickets before this feature was available, they will stay in your Ticketmaster account. You can still use them by opening the Ticketmaster app or email confirmation, but they will not appear in Google Wallet.
What if I use a different email for Google Wallet than I use for Ticketmaster?
Ticketmaster will send tickets to the email address you provide during checkout. If that address is not linked to your Google Wallet, the tickets will not appear there. You will receive them by email instead, and you can access them through the Ticketmaster app or the link in your confirmation email.
Do I need to do anything special to use Google Wallet tickets at the venue?
No. Just open Google Wallet, find your ticket, and hold your phone up to the scanner. The venue will scan the barcode the same way they would scan a printed ticket. You do not need to unlock your phone or tap anything.
Can I show the same ticket to multiple people?
One ticket can only be used once. If you have multiple tickets on one order, each one has its own barcode and can be used separately. If you want someone else to have a ticket, transfer it to them through Ticketmaster so they have their own copy.
What happens if my phone dies before I get to the venue?
Take a screenshot of your ticket barcode before you leave home. You can show the screenshot to the scanner at the gate, and it will work the same way as the live pass. Alternatively, you can access your tickets through the Ticketmaster website on any device with internet access.