• A Cal Performances employee scans a digital ticket for a woman holding a smart phone in an orange case in front of Zellerbach Hall.

Digital Tickets

Starting with the 2026–27 season, we’re excited to share improvements related to mobile  ticket delivery that will streamline communications, enable easier access and sharing of tickets, and enhance security.

Digital Delivery: Subscription Tickets

All tickets from orders containing a subscription (including parking passes and sub add-on tickets) will be emailed from e-tickets@calperformances.org within 24 hours of purchase. In addition, tickets will be re-sent to you closer to the performance date for your convenience, according to the “Digital Delivery: All Tickets” timeline below

Digital Delivery: All Tickets

All tickets are delivered on the following schedule.

Email Delivery — 2 days before performance date
All tickets will be directly linked in the informational email you receive from etickets@calperformances.org 2 days before each performance to make them easy to locate in your inbox.

Using your unique ticket link, you can access all the tickets you’ve purchased associated with the upcoming event (performance tickets, dining reservations, and parking passes), and easily share tickets with your guests.

Text Message Reminder — 4 hours before curtain
To make finding your tickets easier than ever as showtime nears, all ticketholders with a mobile phone number listed in their Cal Performances account will also receive their unique ticket link via SMS text four hours before the performance start time.

If you would like to receive these reminders, please log in to your Cal Performances account to ensure the phone number on your account is your current mobile line.

Accessing, Viewing, and Saving Your Tickets

You can view your tickets via the link sent in the email and the SMS text. If you purchased parking or made a dining reservation, those will be shown on the “related tickets” tab.

The QR codes for all tickets sent via link will be grayed out until 4 hours before the performance start time, when they will automatically update. If you have shared tickets with guests, their QR codes will automatically turn live as well.

Using your unique ticket link, you can add tickets to your Apple or Android digital wallet. Tickets can only be added to wallet once their QR code is live, beginning 4 hours before the performance start time.

Note that all QR codes are dynamic, so screenshots of tickets are not able to be scanned for entry.

Event Ticket with
Blocked QR Code

Event Ticket with
Live QR Code

Related Ticket

Sharing Your Tickets

Once you open your unique link (sent via email two days before the event or text four hours before the event), you’ll see a “share” button below the QR code, which will allow you to send an individual ticket via text or email, or by copying a unique share link generated for that ticket. You should avoid copying and distributing the original direct link you received as the purchaser from Cal Performances via email or text message.

You will be able to share a ticket only if you have purchased more than one ticket to that event. To claim the shared ticket, your guest will be asked to enter their name and contact information. Once a shared ticket has been claimed, it cannot be recalled by the sender.

Mobile Tickets FAQs

If you can’t find the answers you are looking for in these Frequently Asked Questions, or need assistance, please contact the Ticket Office.

All tickets sent via link will have a grayed-out QR code until four hours before the performance start time. This is to better safeguard tickets from fraud.

The QR codes on all digital tickets will automatically update (“turn live”) four hours before the performance start time. This applies to tickets you’ve received as well as tickets you’ve shared with guests.

Your guest will be invited to claim their ticket by entering their name and contact information. Once they’ve done so, they can revisit their ticket at that secure link at any time. If you share their ticket before the QR code is live, note that the ticket QR code will automatically update at their link four hours before the performance start time.

Collecting guest name and contact information provides three key benefits:

  1. It helps prevent fraud since each ticket is directly assigned to one person and can only be “owned” and viewed by one person at a time. (Unfortunately, we see numerous instances of fraud in which a single person sells a single ticket to more than one person.)
  2. It allows us to note in our own records what performances they have attended with us so as to better customize their experience for future visits. (For example, noting that they’ve attended as a guest helps us avoid sending them redundant first-time patron information the next time they purchase tickets directly.)
    It allows us the ability to reach out to the widest possible net of anticipated attendees in case of a last-minute change or emergency at that performance (for example, delayed start time).

Guests will not receive marketing information about future events unless they indicate via checkbox that they would like to receive additional communications from us.

You can use any tickets you’ve received for entry—tickets delivered via email (in advance or two days before the performance) and via text will all contain a valid QR code.

Look for an email from etickets@email.calperformances.org with the subject line “Your Tickets: [event name].” Your tickets can be accessed via a big button that reads “View Your Tickets.”

Note that text is only used for ticket delivery and crucial logistical information in advance of your event. If you would like to opt out of texts, after receiving your first text, reply with “stop.”

You will be able to share a ticket only if you have purchased more than one ticket to that event. Once you open your unique link, you’ll see a “share” button below the QR code, which will allow you to send an individual ticket via text or email. There is an option to sharea link from within the platform; however, you should avoid directly forwarding the email/text message/link you received.

Tickets can only be added to a smartphone’s digital wallet when they have a valid QR code. This means the first opportunity to add your Cal Performances ticket is four hours before the performance start time. If you are enrolled in texting, you’ll be able to add tickets to your digital wallet as soon as you receive them via text message.

Shared tickets cannot be recalled if they have been accepted by your guest, so you will need to contact the ticket office to get your ticket reissued.

Tickets sent via link (emailed two days before or texted four hours before) cannot be printed or screenshotted for entry.

Simply log in to your Cal Performances account, enter your mobile number in the “Phone Number” field, and select the “Save Changes” button. Then you’ll be all set to receive the same-day text reminder 4 hours before the performance start time.