Managing events online has become a critical component for businesses, artists, and organizers of all scales. Whether it’s for concerts, workshops, conferences, or local meetups, one thing is certain—having a reliable ticketing system on your WordPress website can make or break the experience for both hosts and attendees. Thanks to the plethora of plugins available, setting up a WordPress ticketing system with payment integration is more accessible than ever.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 5 WordPress ticketing system plugins that not only help you manage events but also enable secure and efficient payment processing. These plugins simplify everything from seat selection to issuing QR codes, and they integrate smoothly with popular payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and more.
Why Use a Ticketing Plugin for WordPress?
Ticketing plugins save you from the hassle of managing manual lists or relying on third-party ticketing platforms that often charge high fees and offer limited customization. By installing a ticketing plugin directly on your WordPress site, you can:
- Control the entire experience under your brand
- Customize event pages and ticket types
- Integrate payment gateways and track transactions
- Automate confirmation emails and QR-based check-ins
- Access powerful sales and attendance analytics
Let’s dive into the best solutions currently available for setting up an event ticketing system in WordPress with full payment integration.
1. The Events Calendar + Event Tickets
The Events Calendar plugin, developed by StellarWP, is a fan favorite. While it primarily focuses on calendar and event management, its companion plugin, Event Tickets, adds robust ticketing functionality.
Event Tickets enables you to create multiple ticket types, set quantities, add pricing, and collect attendee details. When paired with Event Tickets Plus (a paid add-on), it supports payment through WooCommerce, allowing integrations with payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, Square, and others.
Key Features:
- Create free or paid tickets directly from the WordPress dashboard
- WooCommerce compatibility for payment processing
- QR codes for check-in via mobile devices
- Seamless integration with The Events Calendar plugin
2. Tickera
Tickera is a standalone ticketing system that specializes in selling tickets from your own website. It doesn’t rely on third-party services, so all revenue from ticket sales goes directly to you.
Using Tickera with their Bridge for WooCommerce plugin allows full integration with WooCommerce payment gateways. The setup may take a little bit of time, but the flexibility and feature set are impressive.
Key Features:
- Sell tickets directly from your WordPress site
- PDF ticket generation with scannable QR codes or barcodes
- Mobile check-in apps for Android and iOS
- Multiple ticket types and discount codes supported
Tickera also includes features like customized email templates and detailed ticket reports, making it ideal for larger or recurring events.
3. WP Event Manager with Sell Tickets Add-on
WP Event Manager is a lightweight yet powerful event management plugin that becomes a full-featured ticketing system when you install the Sell Tickets add-on. This extension integrates with WooCommerce, allowing for extensive payment gateway compatibility.
One of the things users love about WP Event Manager is its modular design. You only need to install the add-ons you require, which keeps your site fast and optimized.
Key Features:
- Modern, customizable front-end event submission forms
- Multi-level ticket pricing with inventory management
- WooCommerce-derived payment flexibility
- Supports recurring events and frontend submission
It’s perfect for websites that need tickets, but don’t want to sacrifice site performance or overcomplicate the backend experience.
4. Event Espresso
Event Espresso is an advanced plugin tailored for event registration and ticketing on WordPress. It offers a robust back-end interface, detailed registration data collection, and flexible pricing options.
This plugin can support multiple pricing tiers, promotional discounts, and even group registrations. Payments can be handled seamlessly via popular gateways like PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.Net, and dozens of others.
Key Features:
- Automated email confirmations for attendees
- Supports PayPal, Stripe, and other gateways natively
- Attendee management and detailed reporting
- Barcode and QR code support for faster check-ins
It’s ideally suited for professional event hosts, educational institutions, and conference organizers who need reliable, all-in-one ticketing services.
5. WooCommerce Box Office
If you’re already using WooCommerce on your WordPress site, WooCommerce Box Office might just be the simplest and most streamlined ticketing solution for you. Developed by WooCommerce itself, this plugin lets you sell tickets directly through your store.
It supports everything you’d expect—ticket delivery via email, attendee information fields, QR codes, and reporting. Since it taps into WooCommerce’s capabilities, you can use existing payment gateways, coupons, and customer data.
Key Features:
- Direct ticket sales through WooCommerce store
- No third-party fees or external services required
- Customizable ticket fields and attendee info collection
- QR code scanning for event check-in
This is especially helpful for WooCommerce-centric businesses and those who prefer not to add unnecessary plugins to their stack.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Ticketing Plugin
Before committing to any of these plugins, it’s important to consider a few key aspects:
- Event Type: Are these one-time or recurring events? Do they require assigned seating or general admission?
- Payment Gateways: Ensure the plugin supports your preferred transaction methods, especially if you’re serving international audiences.
- Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface can save hours of learning and tweaking later on.
- Scalability: Choose a plugin that can grow with your needs without requiring a complete overhaul later.
- Budget: Look out for annual subscription costs, add-on pricing, and possible transaction fees.
Conclusion
An efficient and secure WordPress ticketing system with payment integration can drastically enhance your ability to manage and monetize events. Whether you’re running intimate workshops or large-scale conferences, the right plugin ensures a seamless process—from the moment a user visits the event page to when they scan their digital ticket at the entrance.
By leveraging any of the above plugins—The Events Calendar + Event Tickets, Tickera, WP Event Manager, Event Espresso, or WooCommerce Box Office—you can offer your attendees a smooth, professional experience while simplifying event logistics on your end. When configured correctly, these tools transform your standard WordPress website into a powerful ticketing hub tailored to your brand and business goals.
Take your time to evaluate features, test demos, and experiment with configurations—because a successful event starts with the right technology.