How to Use Mobile Tickets and E-Tickets for Football and Live Events
To use an e-ticket, download the ticket (digital or PDF) from your confirmation email and either print it or show it on your phone at the gate. To use a mobile ticket, open the official event or club app (or your phone's wallet app), activate the ticket if required, and present the screen to be scanned.
How to Use an E-Ticket for an Event
- Check your email for the PDF attachment or download link sent after purchase.
- Either print it at home or save it to your phone. Most venues accept both formats, it is advisory to take both.
- Have the barcode or QR code visible and ready to scan when you reach the gate. Do not screenshot, as this can blur the code and some venues use dynamic QR codes.
Eticketing is a digital ticket issued electronically, which is the standard of in live events of the modern era. Typically delivered as a PDF with a unique barcode or QR code. Because it's a file rather than something tied to a specific device, it can be forwarded by email or shared fairly easily.
How to Use a Mobile Ticket for an Event
- Download the venue's or event's official app, or confirm your wallet app (Apple Wallet/Google Wallet). Ensure the platform where you booked your tickets is aware of your device as the digital passes can vary between iOS and Android.
- Locate your ticket inside the app and activate it if prompted, some organisers only allow activation shortly before the event starts.
- Make sure your phone is charged and you have data or WiFi access in case the app needs to verify the ticket on arrival.
- Present the live ticket screen. DO NOT screenshot as you will be turned away, as many mobile tickets refresh their barcode automatically, meaning a static screenshot won't scan.
A mobile ticket (or m-ticket) is a digital ticket issued directly to a smartphone through a dedicated app or digital wallet. Unlike an e-ticket, it can't be printed and has to be accessed from the device it was issued to. Transfers, when allowed, usually happen inside the same app, which keeps a record of who the ticket was passed to.
E-Ticket or Mobile Ticket? How to Tell Which One You Have
If your confirmation email contains a QR Code, PDF or a printable attachment, you have an e-ticket. If you were instructed to download an app or your ticket only appears inside a wallet app, you have a mobile ticket.
Format: An e-ticket arrives as a PDF or emailed barcode/QR code. A mobile ticket is an app-based or digital wallet pass.
Can it be printed? Most E-tickets can be printed, however many event organiser how use dynamic QR codes to prevent fraud, which require a live screen. Mobile tickets cannot be printed.
Device required? An e-ticket can be used on any device, or as a paper printout. A mobile ticket can only be used on a smartphone.
Transfer method: E-tickets are forwarded by email and easily shared. Mobile tickets are transferred within the issuing app or via wallet passes.
Using Tickets for Premier League Football Matches in London
Several Premier League clubs now run mobile-only ticketing, meaning entry is only possible through the club's official app, wallet passes. In the modern era, Paper or PDF e-tickets won't be accepted at the gate. Before a match, check the specific club's entry policy, since requirements differ at each stadium. If you don't have a compatible smartphone, some clubs offer an alternative such as a photographic smart card, but this typically needs to be arranged in advance.
If you're using a resale ticket for a football game or other live event, confirm with the seller whether it's an e-ticket, a mobile transfer, or a mobile-only ticket tied to a specific app before the event, this determines what format will be delivered and what it means for you.
Related questions
Download the official app from your event or club in advance, sign in or create an account if required, and your ticket should appear once it's been transferred or purchased to that account. Do this before event day to avoid issues with venue Wi-Fi or queues. For resale sites like Love1Ticket, ensure you use the email address that was used to purchase your tickets
Most venues accept e-tickets shown directly on a phone screen. Open the PDF or QR Code from your email app or downloads folder and have the barcode visible for scanning
Usually yes, but only within the same app, which keeps a record of the transfer. Some organisers may prevent multiple transfers, check terms and conditions set by each party. Check the app's transfer feature rather than trying to share a screenshot, which will not scan and be refused entry.
This is a risk with mobile-only entry. Some venues offer alternatives such as printed passes or smart cards for fans without a compatible device check the specific event's policy in advance, and consider bringing a portable charger. Plan ahead and charge your phone overnight or for several hours on the day to ensure sufficient battery.
Not usually. E-tickets are generally accessible by email without an account.