Ticketmaster to use new Apple Wallet ticket features

Ticketmaster will be the first company to use the new Apple Wallet ticket features included in the most recent IOS 18 update starting later this month.
In an announcement on Thursday, Ticketmaster’s president Mark Yovich wrote fans will be “closer to the action” when they add their tickets to their phone.
“We’re extremely proud to work with Apple to bring this enhanced ticketing experience to fans,” he continued.
As the world’s largest ticket seller, this likely means most iPhone users with up-to-date phones will start to see the new features when accessing tickets for events in the near future.
Even before IOS 18, iPhone users could download tickets they purchased through Ticketmaster or other ticket selling websites to their phone.
When buying a ticket, a company can offer the customer an option to add the ticket to their Apple Wallet, an app that is pre-installed on every iPhone. Once downloaded, the ticket will appear in the user’s e-wallet and be easily accessed for an event.
Apple Wallet will also send users a push notification a few hours before the start of an event, which can be used to take someone directly to the ticket when unlocking their phone.
Boarding passes or restaurant punch cards can also be stored in Apple Wallet.
For those who don’t have an up-to-date phone, tickets will display with basic information, like the date and time of an event and the seating section.
With iOS 18, Apple is introducing many new features, including a map of the venue, local weather forecasts and parking details. People can also access location-sharing services through the ticket to meet up with their friends who are also at a concert or event.
Ticketmaster said on Thursday that users can access ticket management features typically accessed through the Ticketmaster app through the Apple Wallet ticket.
In its Thursday announcement, Ticketmaster said the new features will debut for the Los Angeles Football Club’s (LAFC) home game against the San Jose Quakes on Oct. 19, followed by the Miami HEAT at a later unspecified date.
The features will be widely available in 2025, according to the company.
In less than a month, Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour will be coming to Toronto for six shows on Nov. 14 to 16 and Nov. 21 to 23.
Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to attend, Ticketmaster told the Star the new feature will not be in place for next month’s shows.