Update: Ticketmaster has denied these reports, saying it “does not set policies for safety/entry requirements, which would include vaccines and/or testing protocols,” adding that “those would always be up to the event organizer.”
The way you attend events in the future could look very different, as Ticketmaster plan to check your COVID-19 status before allowing you through the door.
How Has COVID-19 Impacted the Performing Arts?
Many businesses have suffered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and that’s especially true of the performing arts. When many of us are being told to stay at home and keep away from large groups, the thrill of attending a packed concert seems a distant pleasure.
Physical venues normally bustling from gigs, theater, and dance shows have had to indefinitely close their doors. Many governments have provided financial aid packages to keep the industry afloat.
Though some have tried to put on socially distanced performances, or adapted to the changed landscape with online streaming, many artists and venues are struggling to make profit without the income that live performance with full houses brings.
Ticketmaster Plans to Check Your COVID-19 Status
To try and host events safely, Billboard reports that Ticketmaster is working on a system that would check your COVID-19 status before you can enter a venue.
Though the plan is still in development, the idea is that ticket holders would need to verify that they have been vaccinated for COVID-19 or have tested negative within 24 to 72 hours before the event (the exact length would depend on regional health authorities).
You would get tested at a lab, ask the result to be sent to your health company, who in turn would send the status to Ticketmaster. If the result came back positive, you would be denied entry to the event.
Ticketmaster would not have access to your medical records, but simply receive verification whether you are eligible to attend.
Though there are lots of specifics to still work out, Ticketmaster want to enable artists to put on events as soon as possible and for fans to not expect to be tested onsite.
To enable this, Ticketmaster would make use of digital ticketing that cannot be transferred or resold.
Ticketmaster also plans to deploy this alongside its new SmartEvent system, which organizes events with contact tracing, delayed entry, and social distancing.
Speaking to Billboard, Ticketmaster president Mark Yovich said:
Ticketmaster’s goal is to provide enough flexibility and options that venues and fans have multiple paths to return to events, and is working to create integrations to our API and leading digital ticketing technology as we will look to tap into the top solutions based on what’s green-lit by officials and desired by clients.
Are Virtual Events Here to Stay?
Whatever happens, it’s clear that attending live events in the future is going to be very different to how it used to be.
In the meantime, check out services like Spotify—it now displays upcoming virtual events for your favorite artists.