How It Works
Every ticket sold on Tickts gets a unique QR code containing an encrypted ticket code. At the venue, door staff use the Tickts scanner to scan each QR code. The system validates the ticket in real-time and marks it as used.
The whole process takes about one second per ticket. Fast enough to handle queues efficiently, secure enough to prevent fraud.
Double-Scan Prevention
The scanner uses an atomic database update to prevent double-scanning. If two door staff scan the same ticket at the same moment, only one scan succeeds. The second scanner immediately sees that the ticket has already been used. This prevents entry fraud without any delay.
Offline Mode
Not every venue has reliable internet. The Tickts scanner includes an offline mode that prefetches all valid ticket codes before the event starts. Scanning continues even without connectivity.
When the connection returns, offline scans sync automatically with a suffix noting they were processed offline. You get full scan data either way.
Season Pass Scanning
Season passes use the same QR code all season. The scanner automatically detects which fixture is being played (using a smart time window) and records attendance per fixture. One scan per fixture — the same pass can be scanned at every match.
Setting Up the Scanner
The Tickts scanner runs in any modern web browser — no app download required. Door staff simply visit the scanner URL on their phone, log in with their door staff credentials, and select the event. The scanner activates the phone camera and is ready to scan within seconds.
Multiple door staff can scan simultaneously at different entrances. Each scanner connects to the same real-time database, so there is no risk of double-admission regardless of how many entry points you have.
What Door Staff See
When a QR code is scanned, the scanner displays clear, colour-coded results:
- Green — Valid: The ticket is genuine and has not been used. Entry is approved. The screen shows the attendee name and ticket type.
- Red — Already Used: The ticket has already been scanned at entry. The screen shows when and where the first scan occurred.
- Red — Invalid: The QR code does not match any valid ticket for this event. This could indicate a counterfeit, an expired transfer, or a ticket for a different event.
- Amber — Special Attention: The ticket is valid but has a note attached — for example, VIP access, accessibility requirements, or an age verification flag.
Handling Common Scenarios
Attendee without their phone: Door staff can search for the booking by name or email address through the scanner interface. Once found, they can manually check the attendee in.
Season pass holders: Season passes display the fixture they are valid for. The scanner checks that the pass has not been used for this specific fixture while allowing it to remain valid for future matches.
Group bookings: When one person has bought multiple tickets, each ticket has its own QR code. The buyer can show all tickets on their phone, and door staff scan each one individually.
Live Attendance Dashboard
While scanning is in progress, organisers can view a live attendance dashboard showing:
- Total tickets scanned vs total sold
- Scan rate (entries per minute)
- Breakdown by ticket type
- Arrival timeline showing when attendees checked in
This data helps with real-time decisions about staffing, catering, and capacity management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special hardware for scanning?
No. Any smartphone with a camera and internet connection works. The scanner runs in the web browser — no app installation needed. For high-volume events, a dedicated phone or tablet for each entrance is recommended.
How fast is the scanning process?
A single scan takes approximately one second from presenting the QR code to seeing the result. For an event with 500 attendees and one entrance, scanning takes about 15 to 20 minutes if attendees arrive steadily. Adding a second scanner halves the queue time.
What happens if the internet goes down during scanning?
The scanner requires internet to validate tickets in real time. If connectivity is lost, the scanner will show a connection error. Organisers should ensure reliable internet at their venue. A mobile hotspot serves as a good backup for venues with unreliable WiFi.