Columbus Civic Center going cashless and ticketless in 2026. How that will work
Visitors to the Columbus Civic Center will have a different way to pay and present tickets beginning Jan. 1, when the venue transitions to a fully cashless and ticketless experience for all events.
Starting next year, the Civic Center will accept only cashless payments, including all major credit and debit cards, as well as mobile payment options, according to Wednesday’s news release from the Columbus Consolidated Government. American Express is not accepted, according to the Civic Center’s FAQ website.
If someone arrives with only cash, the box office can process payments, the website says, but an additional fee will apply.
Visitors will also use the Ticketmaster app or digital tickets on their smartphones to enter the venue.
Individuals can present a barcode on the Ticketmaster app for scanning at entry. Instructions for using the app are available on the Civic Center’s website.
The Civic Center Box Office will accept card and mobile payments, according to the release, and purchases will go directly to the guest’s email rather than a paper ticket.
Any paper tickets purchased before January 2026 will still be honored at entry.
Printed tickets are available for only season ticket holders and group sales, according to the Civic Center’s FAQ website. These will be issued exclusively by the box office, the Columbus River Dragons hockey team or the Columbus Lions indoor football team.
If the purchaser does not have a smartphone, and no one else in their party has one they can use to log in and access their tickets, then they can bring their photo ID and account number to the box office the night of the event to receive their tickets.
Screenshots of the tickets won’t be accepted, according to the website.
More information about accessing tickets and how to transfer them to others can be found on the Civic Center’s website.
The goal of these changes is to streamline entry, enhance safety and improve the guest experience, according to the news release.
“This transition reflects the Columbus Civic Center’s continued commitment to safety, convenience, and efficiency,” the hews release says. “Cashless transactions reduce waiting times, minimize contact, and create a more secure environment for fans and staff alike.”
