Access-Code Gated Tickets

An access code hides a ticket type from your event page until a buyer enters the code. Use it for presales, VIP tickets, member pricing, or anything you don't want to offer to the general public.

Setting up an access code

Access codes are set per ticket type, not per event.

1. Open your event in the dashboard and click Edit ticket types.
2. Add a new ticket type, or open an existing one to edit it.
3. Open Advanced settings and tick Hidden under Visibility.
4. Enter your code in the Access code field that appears.
5. Click Add ticket type (or Save changes when editing).

Codes can use letters, numbers, dashes and underscores, and must be 4 to 50 characters long. They are not case-sensitive: "VIP2026", "vip2026" and "Vip2026" all work.

Hidden with no code

If you tick Hidden and leave the access code blank, the ticket type is staff-only. Buyers never see it and can't buy it. Use this for tickets you hand out yourself, such as sponsor tables or comps, and issue them from your event's Orders tab. See Issuing Comp and Cash Tickets.

Removing the code

Untick Hidden and save. The code is removed and the ticket type goes on sale on your event page like any other. To keep the ticket type off your page but stop the code working, keep Hidden ticked and clear the code.

Sharing your code

A code is a shared passphrase, not a single-use token. Any number of buyers can use it. Share it in a presale email, a private group chat, a membership card, or a direct message.

What buyers see

Buyers without the code don't see the hidden ticket type at all. A Have an access code? link appears below your ticket types.

When a buyer enters the right code, the hidden ticket type appears and they can add it to their order. A wrong code shows: "Invalid access code. Please check and try again." A buyer who enters several wrong codes in a short time is asked to wait a few minutes before trying again.

One order can use one access code. A buyer with two codes for two different ticket types needs to place two orders.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use different codes for different groups?

Yes. Create a separate ticket type for each group, each with its own code, price and quantity.

Does the code expire?

No. The code works for as long as the ticket type is on sale. To stop sales at a set time, fill in Sales end on the ticket type.

Can I see how many people used a code?

Each code belongs to one ticket type, so the sold count for that ticket type shows how many tickets were bought with it. That count also includes any tickets of that type you issued yourself from Orders.

What if I want a discount without hiding the ticket type?

Use a promo code instead. Promo codes take money off visible ticket types at checkout. See How to Create and Manage Promo Codes.

Still need help? Contact support.