PayPal Payments lets you accept PayPal payments for event registrations through Event Genius Pro using PayPal’s current REST API. Depending on the buyer’s location, account, device, and PayPal eligibility, PayPal may also display additional options such as debit or credit cards, Pay Later, or Venmo.

PayPal Payments replaces the older PayPal Standard integration, which is scheduled to stop processing payments after January 7, 2027. This guide explains how to create PayPal API credentials, connect PayPal to Event Genius, configure webhooks, test the integration, and switch from PayPal Standard.

Quick migration checklist

  1. Enable PayPal Payments in Event Genius.
  2. Create sandbox and live REST apps in the PayPal Developer Dashboard.
  3. Add your Client IDs and Client Secrets to Event Genius.
  4. Register the Event Genius webhook URL with PayPal.
  5. Complete a sandbox test payment.
  6. Switch to live mode and complete a small live transaction.
  7. Disable PayPal Standard after confirming that PayPal Payments works correctly.

Before you begin

  • You need an Event Genius Pro license that includes payment gateways.
  • You need a PayPal account that can receive business payments.
  • Your website should use HTTPS and must be publicly accessible so PayPal can deliver webhook notifications.
  • The event must have registration enabled and include a cost or paid registration option.
  • PayPal Standard credentials cannot be reused. PayPal Payments requires a REST API Client ID and Client Secret, not only a PayPal email address.

Enable PayPal Payments in Event Genius

  1. In WordPress, go to Event Genius → Settings → Payments.
  2. Find PayPal Payments in the Payment Methods section.
  3. Enable the toggle next to PayPal Payments.
  4. Click Configure.
  5. Optionally reorder your enabled payment methods. The first enabled method is presented first during checkout.

Create a PayPal REST app

PayPal Payments connects to PayPal through an app in the PayPal Developer Dashboard. Each app provides a Client ID and Client Secret that Event Genius uses to securely create and capture payments.

Your sandbox and live credentials are separate. Sandbox credentials process test payments only, while live credentials process real payments.

Create sandbox credentials

  1. Log in to the PayPal Developer Dashboard.
  2. Open Apps & Credentials.
  3. Switch the environment to Sandbox.
  4. Use the default REST application or click Create App to create a dedicated app for Event Genius.
  5. Give the app a recognizable name, such as Event Genius Sandbox.
  6. Open the app and copy its Client ID.
  7. Reveal and copy its Client Secret.

Important: Treat the Client Secret like a password. Do not include it in screenshots, support forum posts, documentation, or messages sent through insecure channels.

Create live credentials

  1. In the PayPal Developer Dashboard, switch from Sandbox to Live.
  2. Use an existing live REST app or click Create App.
  3. Give the app a recognizable name, such as Event Genius Live.
  4. Copy the live Client ID and Client Secret.
  5. Store the Client Secret securely.

Creating sandbox credentials does not automatically create live credentials. Make sure you obtain both sets before launching PayPal Payments on a production site.

Add your PayPal credentials to Event Genius

  1. Return to Event Genius → Settings → Payments → PayPal Payments.
  2. Open the API Credentials section.
  3. Enable Sandbox Mode while testing.
  4. Paste your Sandbox Client ID and Sandbox Client Secret into the corresponding fields.
  5. Paste your Live Client ID and Live Client Secret into the live credential fields. You can save both sets of credentials before going live.
  6. Under Business, enter a Business Name if you want to use a name other than your website title on payment records.
  7. Under Checkout Options, select the currency used for your events and customize the checkout wording as needed.
  8. Click Save Changes.

Event Genius automatically uses the credentials that correspond to the active mode. Sandbox credentials are used when Sandbox Mode is enabled, and live credentials are used when Sandbox Mode is disabled.

Register the PayPal webhook

Webhooks allow PayPal to notify Event Genius when a payment is completed, pending, denied, or refunded. This provides a reliable backup when a buyer closes the browser or the immediate checkout response does not reach your website.

You should configure a webhook for both your sandbox app and your live app. Each environment has its own webhook and Webhook ID.

  1. On the PayPal Payments configuration page in Event Genius, find the Webhook Listener section.
  2. Copy the Webhook URL.
  3. Return to the PayPal Developer Dashboard and open the app for the environment you are configuring.
  4. Find the app’s webhook settings and choose the option to add a webhook.
  5. Paste the Event Genius Webhook URL.
  6. Subscribe to the following events:
    • PAYMENT.CAPTURE.COMPLETED
    • PAYMENT.CAPTURE.PENDING
    • PAYMENT.CAPTURE.DENIED
    • PAYMENT.CAPTURE.REFUNDED
  7. Save the webhook in PayPal.
  8. Copy the Webhook ID assigned by PayPal.
  9. Return to Event Genius and paste it into the corresponding sandbox or live Webhook ID field.
  10. Click Save Changes.

Important: The Webhook ID is not the same as the Client ID. Copy the Webhook ID from the webhook created inside your PayPal app.

PayPal’s webhook simulator creates mock events that are not associated with your app and may not pass the same verification process as real app webhooks. A real sandbox checkout is the best way to test the complete Event Genius payment flow.

Test PayPal Payments in sandbox mode

Sandbox mode allows you to complete the entire payment process without charging a real payment method.

  1. Confirm that Sandbox Mode is enabled.
  2. Confirm that your sandbox Client ID, Client Secret, and Webhook ID are saved.
  3. In the PayPal Developer Dashboard, go to Testing Tools → Sandbox Accounts.
  4. Create or locate a sandbox Personal account to use as the buyer.
  5. Open a paid event on the front end of your website and begin a registration.
  6. Select PayPal Payments during checkout.
  7. Click the PayPal button and log in using the sandbox buyer account—not your real PayPal account.
  8. Approve the test payment.
  9. Confirm that the registration displays a successful payment message.
  10. In WordPress, go to Event Genius → Registrations and confirm that the registration is marked as paid.
  11. Review the sandbox transaction in PayPal to confirm that it was recorded.

Closing or canceling the PayPal window before approval should not mark the registration as paid. The registrant can click the PayPal button again to begin another attempt.

Go live

  1. Confirm that your live Client ID, Client Secret, and Webhook ID are saved.
  2. Confirm that the webhook URL has been registered on your live PayPal app.
  3. Disable Sandbox Mode.
  4. Click Save Changes.
  5. Open a paid event and complete one small live transaction using a different buyer account or payment method when possible.
  6. Confirm that the registration is marked as paid in Event Genius.
  7. Confirm that the transaction appears in your live PayPal account.
  8. Refund the test transaction if appropriate and verify that the updated status is reflected in Event Genius.

After confirming that PayPal Payments works correctly, disable PayPal Standard under Event Genius → Settings → Payments. Keeping both gateways enabled may present buyers with two PayPal options and create unnecessary confusion.

Migrating from PayPal Standard

PayPal Standard and PayPal Payments are separate integrations:

  • PayPal Standard uses a PayPal business email and redirects customers through PayPal’s older checkout process.
  • PayPal Payments uses REST API credentials and PayPal’s current checkout technology.

Event Genius cannot automatically convert a PayPal Standard email address into REST API credentials. You must create a PayPal REST app and connect it using the steps in this guide.

Recommended migration order

  1. Leave PayPal Standard enabled while configuring the new gateway.
  2. Enable PayPal Payments and add your sandbox credentials.
  3. Register the sandbox webhook and complete a sandbox payment.
  4. Add your live credentials and register the live webhook.
  5. Disable Sandbox Mode and complete a small live payment.
  6. Confirm that the payment and registration were recorded correctly.
  7. Disable PayPal Standard.

This approach allows your existing PayPal checkout to remain available while you configure and test its replacement.

For information about the legacy gateway, see Accepting Payments with PayPal Standard.

PayPal Payments settings

API Credentials

  • Sandbox Mode — Uses PayPal’s test environment. No real payments are processed.
  • Sandbox Client ID and Secret — Credentials for your sandbox REST app.
  • Live Client ID and Secret — Credentials for your live REST app.
  • Webhook ID — Identifies the PayPal webhook used to verify payment notifications. Sandbox and live webhooks have separate IDs.

Checkout Options

  • Currency — The currency sent to PayPal when an order is created. Make sure PayPal supports the selected currency for your account and location.
  • Payment Option Description — The short description shown beneath the PayPal payment method during checkout.
  • Gateway Selector Text — Leave this blank to display the PayPal logo, or enter text such as “PayPal” to display a text label instead.
  • Payment Success Message — The message shown after Event Genius confirms a successful payment.

Advanced

  • Debug Mode — Records additional PayPal API information for troubleshooting. Enable it temporarily while diagnosing a problem, then disable it when testing is complete.

Debug logs may contain transaction identifiers and other payment-related information. Do not publish them publicly. Remove or redact sensitive information before sharing logs with anyone other than Event Genius support.

Troubleshooting PayPal Payments

The PayPal button does not appear

  • Confirm that PayPal Payments is enabled under Settings → Payments.
  • Confirm that the Client ID and Client Secret are saved for the currently selected mode.
  • Confirm that the event has registration enabled and includes a cost.
  • Temporarily disable aggressive JavaScript optimization, delay, or combination features to check for a script conflict.
  • Check the browser console for JavaScript errors caused by another plugin or theme.

The credentials are rejected

  • Confirm that the Client ID and Client Secret came from the same PayPal app.
  • Confirm that sandbox credentials are entered in the sandbox fields and live credentials are entered in the live fields.
  • Copy the credentials again to avoid missing or adding characters.
  • Confirm that you copied the REST API credentials rather than older NVP/SOAP API credentials.

The payment remains pending

  • Confirm that the webhook URL is registered with the correct PayPal app.
  • Confirm that the correct Webhook ID is saved in Event Genius.
  • Confirm that all required payment capture events are selected for the webhook.
  • Make sure your website is publicly accessible and is not blocking requests from PayPal.
  • Check whether a firewall, security plugin, maintenance mode, or password-protection service is blocking the webhook request.

Sandbox works but live payments fail

  • Confirm that Sandbox Mode is disabled.
  • Confirm that your live credentials are saved.
  • Confirm that you created a separate webhook on the live PayPal app.
  • Confirm that the live Webhook ID—not the sandbox Webhook ID—is saved in Event Genius.
  • Confirm that your PayPal account is able to receive payments in the selected currency.

PayPal reports an amount or currency error

  • Confirm that the selected currency is supported by your PayPal account.
  • Review the event cost, registration quantities, taxes, discounts, and processing fees.
  • Enable Debug Mode temporarily and attempt another test payment.

You still need assistance

Enable Debug Mode temporarily, reproduce the problem once, and contact Event Genius support. Include the steps that caused the issue, whether you were using sandbox or live mode, and any relevant error message. Never send your PayPal Client Secret.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a PayPal Business account?

You need a PayPal account that is eligible to receive business payments and use PayPal’s REST API. PayPal may require additional account verification before live payments can be accepted.

Can I use my PayPal Standard email address?

No. PayPal Payments requires a Client ID and Client Secret from a PayPal REST app. Your PayPal email address alone cannot be used as API credentials.

Can I test PayPal Payments without charging a real card?

Yes. Enable Sandbox Mode and complete the checkout using a personal sandbox account created through the PayPal Developer Dashboard.

Is a webhook required?

A payment may appear to complete during checkout without a webhook, but you should configure one before accepting live payments. Webhooks allow Event Genius to reliably process delayed, pending, denied, and refunded payment updates.

Should I keep PayPal Standard enabled?

Keep it enabled while setting up and testing PayPal Payments. Disable PayPal Standard after the new gateway has successfully processed a live test payment.

Will every buyer see card, Pay Later, or Venmo options?

No. PayPal determines which payment options are available based on factors such as the merchant account, buyer location, currency, device, and PayPal eligibility.

Related payment guides

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