Getting a concert ticket is half the battle. The real question is: how do I send a concert ticket to someone-especially if they’re not right next to you? Whether you’re giving a last-minute gift, splitting costs with a friend, or just can’t make it yourself, transferring a ticket shouldn’t feel like a tech maze. Here’s how to do it, step by step, using the most common platforms in 2026.
Most tickets are digital now-no paper needed
Back in 2015, you could print a ticket and hand it over. Today? Almost all major venues and promoters use mobile-only entry. You won’t find paper tickets at events like Coachella, Red Rocks, or even local gigs in Wellington. Instead, tickets are locked to your phone via apps like Ticketmaster, Live Nation, AXS, or Eventbrite. That means you can’t just email a PDF and call it done. You need to transfer ownership properly through the platform.
Why? Security. Scalpers used to buy bulk tickets and resell them at triple the price. Platforms now tie tickets to the original buyer’s ID and phone number to stop that. So if you want someone else to enter the venue, you have to officially hand over access. Otherwise, they’ll get turned away at the gate-no matter how much they paid you.
How to transfer a ticket using Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster handles over 60% of concert tickets in North America and New Zealand. Here’s how to send one:
- Open the Ticketmaster app or go to ticketmaster.com on your phone or computer.
- Sign in to your account and go to "My Events" or "My Tickets."
- Find the concert you want to send and tap "Transfer."
- Enter the recipient’s email address or phone number. Make sure it’s correct-once sent, you can’t undo it.
- Tap "Send." They’ll get a notification with a link to accept the ticket.
- Once they accept, the ticket moves to their account. You’ll see it disappear from yours.
Important: The recipient needs a Ticketmaster account. If they don’t have one, they’ll be asked to create a free one. No payment info is needed-just name and email. And yes, they’ll get push notifications and reminders for the event.
Live Nation and AXS work the same way
If your ticket came from Live Nation (which owns many venues), the process is nearly identical. Log into your Live Nation account, go to "My Tickets," and look for the "Transfer" button. AXS, used by venues like the O2 Arena and many U.S. theaters, follows the same flow. All three platforms sync with each other in many regions, so even if you bought it on one, you can usually transfer it on another.
Pro tip: If you’re transferring to someone in another country, double-check the time zone. A 7 p.m. show in Auckland is 4 p.m. in Sydney. Make sure they know when to arrive-entry lines can be long.
What if you bought from a third-party seller?
Not all tickets come from official sources. Maybe you got yours from StubHub, Viagogo, or a Facebook group. Here’s the catch: you can’t transfer a ticket you didn’t originally buy. If you bought it from a reseller, the ticket is already tied to their account. You can’t move it to someone else unless the original seller transfers it directly.
Some platforms allow you to sell or give tickets back to the original seller, who can then send it to your friend. But that’s messy. Best practice? Only buy tickets from official outlets like Ticketmaster, Live Nation, or the venue’s website. That way, you control the transfer.
Can you send a ticket as a gift without knowing their email?
Yes-but you’ll need to plan ahead. Some platforms let you send a ticket as a "digital gift card." For example, Ticketmaster lets you buy a "Ticket Gift" directly. You pick the event, pay, and then send a code. The recipient uses that code to claim the ticket on their own account. This works great for birthdays or surprise gifts.
If you already have the ticket and don’t know their email, you can still transfer it. Just ask them to create a temporary email address (like via Gmail or ProtonMail) and give it to you. No one’s going to judge you for using "[email protected]."
What if they don’t have a smartphone?
This is a real problem. Not everyone carries a phone, or they might have an old model without NFC or a working app. Some venues allow you to print a digital ticket and bring it to the box office. But only if the event permits it.
Check the event’s policy before assuming. Go to the venue’s website and look for "Ticket Entry Policies." If it says "Mobile Only," you’re out of luck. If it says "Mobile or Printed," you can print the barcode from your app and hand it over. But even then, the venue may still scan the barcode linked to the original buyer’s ID. So if the person at the door sees your name on the screen and they’re not you, they might still deny entry.
Bottom line: If they don’t have a phone, the safest way is to transfer the ticket to them so they can use their own device. No exceptions.
What about international transfers?
Transferring a ticket to someone overseas? No problem. Ticket platforms don’t care where you live. If the event is in New York and your friend is in Tokyo, you can still send it. But here’s what you need to know:
- The ticket price is in the local currency. If you’re in NZD and the event is in USD, you’ll pay in USD.
- Time zones matter. Make sure they know the local start time.
- Some countries require ID matching. For example, if they’re entering in the UK, they might need to show a passport that matches the name on the ticket.
- Don’t send tickets too early. Some platforms lock tickets until 48 hours before the event. Wait until then to transfer.
What if you accidentally send it to the wrong person?
It happens. You type "[email protected]" but meant "[email protected]." Once the ticket is transferred, you can’t get it back. The platform considers it final.
What can you do? If the recipient hasn’t accepted it yet, you can cancel the transfer. Most apps show a "Pending Transfer" status for up to 24 hours. Cancel it, then resend to the right person.
If they’ve already accepted it? You’re out of luck. You’ll need to buy a new ticket. That’s why double-checking emails is so important.
Can you send a ticket through WhatsApp or email?
No. Not reliably. You might see people sharing screenshots of barcodes. But those don’t work anymore. Modern systems use dynamic barcodes that refresh every few seconds. A screenshot is useless. Even if it scans once, the venue’s system will flag it as invalid.
Some people try to forward PDFs. Again, those are relics from 2018. Most venues now require the ticket to be in the official app, linked to the attendee’s account. Don’t risk it. Use the platform’s transfer tool.
What if the event gets canceled?
If the concert is canceled or postponed, refunds go to the original buyer. That means if you transferred the ticket, you won’t get your money back. The recipient will.
So if you’re giving a ticket as a gift, make sure the person knows this. You’re giving them the experience, not the money. If the event gets canceled, they’ll be the one dealing with customer service.
Final checklist before sending
- Is the ticket from an official source? (Ticketmaster, Live Nation, venue site)
- Do you have the recipient’s correct email or phone number?
- Have you checked the event’s entry policy? (Mobile only? ID required?)
- Are you transferring it within 48 hours of the event? (Some platforms block early transfers)
- Did you confirm they have a smartphone and a working app?
- Did you warn them about refunds? (They get them, not you)
If you answer yes to all of those, you’re golden. No stress. No drama. Just music.
