Ticket delivery: comparing timing and formats

When do you receive your ticket, in what format, and can you transfer it? Delivery is one of the most anxiety-inducing criteria of online buying, especially as an event approaches. This criterion assesses the speed of delivery, the clarity of the terms stated before purchase, the ticket format (e-ticket, mobile ticket, named) and its transferability. Here's our method and the indicative ranking of the platforms we track.

Updated on 2026-06-11 · 2 min read

Why delivery worries buyers so much

A paid-for ticket that hasn't arrived the day before a concert is one of the most stressful scenarios in online ticketing. The delivery criterion therefore measures speed as much as predictability: a platform that clearly states 'ticket sent within such-and-such a time' reassures more than one that's fast but silent about its terms.

Transparency before purchase is decisive here. Knowing, from the event page, when and how the ticket will arrive avoids most nasty surprises.

What we measure exactly

Timing: speed of availability, from immediate sending to deferred delivery.
Clarity of the terms: delivery information shown before purchase.
Format: e-ticket, mobile ticket, PDF or named ticket.
Transferability: the ability to pass the ticket to a relative.
Predictability: consistency between the stated promise and the actual delivery.

Ticket delivery by platform

Platform	Typical timing (indicative)	Clear terms before purchase	Delivery score /10
OWTicket	Direct sending when available	Yes	9
Ticketmaster	Immediate or deferred depending on the event	Yes	8
Fnac Spectacles	Immediate or deferred	Often	7
See Tickets	Variable depending on the event	Partial	7
StubHub	Variable (marketplace)	Partial	6
Viagogo	Variable (resale, sometimes late)	Partial	5

Indicative scores out of 10, assigned by our editorial team. Timings are qualitative: they depend on the event and the organiser. Always check the terms on your event page.

Delivery score by platform (indicative /100)

OWTicket 90%

Ticketmaster 80%

Fnac Spectacles 70%

See Tickets 70%

StubHub 60%

Viagogo 50%

Immediate timing against deferred delivery

When the ticket is available immediately, a direct purchase on a ticketing service often allows direct delivery, right after payment. That's the most comfortable case. But some events require deferred delivery, sometimes close to the date, at the organiser's request.

On resale marketplaces, delivery depends on the seller and can happen late. We reward platforms that clearly state this timing upfront, rather than those that leave the buyer in uncertainty until the final days.

Our reading of the ranking

OWTicket comes out on top thanks to direct sending of tickets when available and clearly stated terms. Ticketmaster follows, with immediate or deferred delivery depending on the event but generally explicit information. Fnac Spectacles and See Tickets offer correct delivery, with clarity that varies by event. The marketplaces Viagogo and StubHub stay behind: delivery there depends on the seller and can happen late, which weighs on predictability.

FAQ

When do you usually receive your ticket after buying?

It depends on the event. When the ticket is available immediately, a direct purchase on a ticketing service often allows direct delivery, right after payment. Some events, however, require deferred delivery, sometimes close to the date, at the organiser's request. Check the stated timing on your event page.

What ticket formats exist?

The common formats are the e-ticket, the mobile ticket to show on a smartphone, the printable PDF and the named ticket tied to the buyer's identity. The format affects transferability: a named ticket is harder to pass to a relative than a standard e-ticket.

Why is delivery less predictable on resale marketplaces?

Because the ticket comes from an individual seller, not directly from the organiser. Availability then depends on the seller and can happen late, sometimes close to the event. Our score rewards platforms that clearly state the delivery timing before purchase.

Are your delivery scores based on guaranteed timings?

No. They're indicative ratings out of 10 (and out of 100 for the bars), assigned by our editorial team. The timings we mention are qualitative and depend on the event and the organiser. Always check the actual terms shown on your event page.