Venue Entry: What You Need on Match Day
On match day you need three things: your ticket on your phone, a charged battery, and photo ID. Major venues now scan tickets from a phone screen, so there is nothing to print. Arrive 60 to 90 minutes before your session starts to clear security comfortably, and check your event's published start time, since sessions begin at different hours at different tournaments.
Mobile entry basics
GoalTickets delivers tickets electronically before the event. Depending on the event, your ticket arrives as a mobile transfer linked to your email address or inside the event's official app, such as the Roland-Garros app for the French Open. Accept the transfer as soon as it arrives, add the ticket to your phone wallet where offered, and take a screenshot only as a backup, since many venues require the live QR code. Charge your phone fully. A dead battery at the gate is the most avoidable entry problem there is.
ID and names on tickets
Carry government issued photo ID. Most venues do not check ID at the turnstile, but staff can ask for it, and some events issue nominative tickets tied to a named holder. French Open tickets are nominative, so follow the delivery instructions we send for your specific order. If anything about your ticket name or transfer looks off before the event, contact us through the Help Center and we will resolve it before match day.
Session start times to plan around
- French Open, day sessions: play starts at 12:00 on Court Philippe-Chatrier and at 11:00 on the outer courts. Night sessions on Chatrier start at 8:15 PM. Details in our French Open FAQ.
- Wimbledon, show courts: Centre Court and No.1 Court sessions start at 1:30 PM, with finals starting at 2:00 PM. See the Wimbledon debenture guide.
- Other events: start times are printed on your ticket and on the product page. Gates typically open one to two hours before the first match.
Arriving early matters most at Grand Slam venues, where security lines peak in the hour before play. Early arrival also gives you time to find your seat using our seating charts.
Bags and security, in general
Every major venue runs airport style security. As a rule, bring a small bag or none, skip glass bottles, cans, alcohol and professional camera gear, and expect size limits on what you can carry in. Exact rules vary by venue and can change each year, so check the event's official conditions of entry a few days before you travel. Large venues usually offer a cloakroom for oversized items, but queuing for it costs time you would rather spend inside.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to print my tickets?
No. GoalTickets tickets are delivered electronically and scanned from your phone. For the French Open, tickets live in the official Roland-Garros app and print at home is not available.
What time should I arrive at the venue?
Aim for 60 to 90 minutes before your session. French Open day sessions start at 12:00 on Chatrier and 11:00 on outer courts. Wimbledon show court sessions start at 1:30 PM.
Do venues check ID at entry?
Not always, but carry government issued photo ID. Some events issue nominative tickets tied to a named holder, and staff can ask for identification.
Can I bring a bag into a Grand Slam venue?
Small bags are generally fine, but every venue sets size limits and bans items such as glass bottles, cans and alcohol. Check the event's official conditions of entry before you travel.
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