diff --git a/src/integrations/supabase/types.ts b/src/integrations/supabase/types.ts
index 498dc357..af3589b1 100644
--- a/src/integrations/supabase/types.ts
+++ b/src/integrations/supabase/types.ts
@@ -539,6 +539,7 @@ export type Database = {
           status: string
           subject: string
           thread_id: string | null
+          ticket_number: string | null
           updated_at: string
           user_agent: string | null
           user_id: string | null
@@ -560,6 +561,7 @@ export type Database = {
           status?: string
           subject: string
           thread_id?: string | null
+          ticket_number?: string | null
           updated_at?: string
           user_agent?: string | null
           user_id?: string | null
@@ -581,6 +583,7 @@ export type Database = {
           status?: string
           subject?: string
           thread_id?: string | null
+          ticket_number?: string | null
           updated_at?: string
           user_agent?: string | null
           user_id?: string | null
@@ -3954,6 +3957,7 @@ export type Database = {
       }
       extract_cf_image_id: { Args: { url: string }; Returns: string }
       generate_deletion_confirmation_code: { Args: never; Returns: string }
+      generate_ticket_number: { Args: never; Returns: string }
       get_email_change_status: { Args: never; Returns: Json }
       get_filtered_profile: {
         Args: { _profile_user_id: string; _viewer_id?: string }
diff --git a/src/pages/admin/AdminContact.tsx b/src/pages/admin/AdminContact.tsx
index a1bd1987..60794091 100644
--- a/src/pages/admin/AdminContact.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/admin/AdminContact.tsx
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@ import {
   ArrowDownLeft,
   Loader2,
   RefreshCw,
+  Reply,
+  Copy,
+  Check,
 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { supabase } from '@/integrations/supabase/client';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
@@ -71,6 +74,7 @@ interface ContactSubmission {
   thread_id: string;
   last_admin_response_at: string | null;
   response_count: number;
+  ticket_number: string;
 }
 
 interface EmailThread {
@@ -98,6 +102,7 @@ export default function AdminContact() {
   const [showReplyForm, setShowReplyForm] = useState(false);
   const [emailThreads, setEmailThreads] = useState<EmailThread[]>([]);
   const [loadingThreads, setLoadingThreads] = useState(false);
+  const [copiedTicket, setCopiedTicket] = useState<string | null>(null);
 
   // Fetch contact submissions
   const { data: submissions, isLoading } = useQuery({
@@ -169,8 +174,10 @@ export default function AdminContact() {
       if (error) throw error;
       return data;
     },
-    onSuccess: () => {
-      handleSuccess('Reply Sent', 'Your email response has been sent successfully');
+    onSuccess: (_data, variables) => {
+      const submission = submissions?.find(s => s.id === variables.submissionId);
+      const ticketNumber = submission?.ticket_number || 'Unknown';
+      handleSuccess('Reply Sent', `Your email response has been sent for ticket ${ticketNumber}`);
       setReplyBody('');
       setShowReplyForm(false);
       // Refetch threads
@@ -264,6 +271,19 @@ export default function AdminContact() {
     queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['admin-contact-submissions'] });
   };
 
+  const handleCopyTicket = (ticketNumber: string) => {
+    navigator.clipboard.writeText(ticketNumber);
+    setCopiedTicket(ticketNumber);
+    setTimeout(() => setCopiedTicket(null), 2000);
+  };
+
+  const handleQuickReply = (e: React.MouseEvent, submission: ContactSubmission) => {
+    e.stopPropagation();
+    setSelectedSubmission(submission);
+    setAdminNotes(submission.admin_notes || '');
+    setShowReplyForm(true);
+  };
+
   // Show loading state while roles are being fetched
   if (rolesLoading) {
     return (
@@ -463,6 +483,20 @@ export default function AdminContact() {
                   <div className="flex-1 space-y-2">
                     <div className="flex items-center gap-3 flex-wrap">
                       <h3 className="font-semibold text-lg">{submission.subject}</h3>
+                      <Badge 
+                        variant="outline" 
+                        className="font-mono cursor-pointer hover:bg-accent transition-colors"
+                        onClick={(e) => {
+                          e.stopPropagation();
+                          handleCopyTicket(submission.ticket_number);
+                        }}
+                      >
+                        {copiedTicket === submission.ticket_number ? (
+                          <><Check className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" /> Copied!</>
+                        ) : (
+                          <><Copy className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" /> {submission.ticket_number}</>
+                        )}
+                      </Badge>
                       {getStatusBadge(submission.status)}
                       <Badge variant="outline">{getCategoryLabel(submission.category)}</Badge>
                       {submission.response_count > 0 && (
@@ -489,7 +523,19 @@ export default function AdminContact() {
                     </div>
                     <p className="text-sm line-clamp-2">{submission.message}</p>
                   </div>
-                  <ChevronDown className="h-5 w-5 text-muted-foreground" />
+                  <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                    <Button
+                      variant="outline"
+                      size="sm"
+                      onClick={(e) => handleQuickReply(e, submission)}
+                      disabled={sendReplyMutation.isPending}
+                      className="flex items-center gap-1"
+                    >
+                      <Reply className="h-4 w-4" />
+                      Reply
+                    </Button>
+                    <ChevronDown className="h-5 w-5 text-muted-foreground" />
+                  </div>
                 </div>
               </CardContent>
             </Card>
@@ -520,11 +566,22 @@ export default function AdminContact() {
           {selectedSubmission && (
             <>
               <DialogHeader>
-                <DialogTitle className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                <DialogTitle className="flex items-center gap-2 flex-wrap">
                   <Mail className="h-5 w-5" />
                   {selectedSubmission.subject}
+                  <Badge 
+                    variant="outline" 
+                    className="font-mono cursor-pointer hover:bg-accent transition-colors"
+                    onClick={() => handleCopyTicket(selectedSubmission.ticket_number)}
+                  >
+                    {copiedTicket === selectedSubmission.ticket_number ? (
+                      <><Check className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" /> Copied!</>
+                    ) : (
+                      <><Copy className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" /> {selectedSubmission.ticket_number}</>
+                    )}
+                  </Badge>
                   {selectedSubmission.response_count > 0 && (
-                    <Badge variant="secondary" className="ml-2 text-xs">
+                    <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-xs">
                       📧 {selectedSubmission.response_count} {selectedSubmission.response_count === 1 ? 'reply' : 'replies'}
                     </Badge>
                   )}
@@ -654,9 +711,17 @@ export default function AdminContact() {
                     ) : (
                       <Card className="border-primary/20">
                         <CardContent className="pt-4">
-                          <Label className="text-sm font-medium mb-2 block">
-                            Reply to {selectedSubmission.name} ({selectedSubmission.email})
-                          </Label>
+                          <div className="mb-3 flex items-center justify-between">
+                            <Label className="text-sm font-medium">
+                              Reply to {selectedSubmission.name} ({selectedSubmission.email})
+                            </Label>
+                            <Badge variant="outline" className="font-mono">
+                              {selectedSubmission.ticket_number}
+                            </Badge>
+                          </div>
+                          <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-3">
+                            Subject: Re: [{selectedSubmission.ticket_number}] {selectedSubmission.subject}
+                          </div>
                           <Textarea
                             value={replyBody}
                             onChange={(e) => setReplyBody(e.target.value)}
diff --git a/supabase/functions/send-admin-email-reply/index.ts b/supabase/functions/send-admin-email-reply/index.ts
index 904e7c9c..761f57d0 100644
--- a/supabase/functions/send-admin-email-reply/index.ts
+++ b/supabase/functions/send-admin-email-reply/index.ts
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ const handler = async (req: Request): Promise<Response> => {
     // Fetch submission
     const { data: submission, error: fetchError } = await supabase
       .from('contact_submissions')
-      .select('id, email, name, subject, thread_id, response_count')
+      .select('id, email, name, subject, thread_id, response_count, ticket_number')
       .eq('id', submissionId)
       .single();
 
@@ -89,8 +89,9 @@ const handler = async (req: Request): Promise<Response> => {
       }, 429, corsHeaders);
     }
 
-    const messageId = `<${crypto.randomUUID()}@thrillwiki.com>`;
-    const finalSubject = replySubject || `Re: ${submission.subject}`;
+    const ticketNumber = submission.ticket_number || 'UNKNOWN';
+    const messageId = `<${ticketNumber}.${crypto.randomUUID()}@thrillwiki.com>`;
+    const finalSubject = replySubject || `Re: [${ticketNumber}] ${submission.subject}`;
     
     // Get previous message for threading
     const { data: previousMessages } = await supabase
@@ -100,7 +101,13 @@ const handler = async (req: Request): Promise<Response> => {
       .order('created_at', { ascending: false })
       .limit(1);
 
-    const inReplyTo = previousMessages?.[0]?.message_id || `<${submission.thread_id}@thrillwiki.com>`;
+    const originalMessageId = `<${ticketNumber}.${submission.id}@thrillwiki.com>`;
+    const inReplyTo = previousMessages?.[0]?.message_id || originalMessageId;
+    
+    // Build reference chain for threading
+    const referenceChain = previousMessages?.[0]?.message_id 
+      ? [originalMessageId, previousMessages[0].message_id].join(' ')
+      : originalMessageId;
 
     // Send email via ForwardEmail
     const forwardEmailResponse = await fetch('https://api.forwardemail.net/v1/emails', {
@@ -117,8 +124,9 @@ const handler = async (req: Request): Promise<Response> => {
         headers: {
           'Message-ID': messageId,
           'In-Reply-To': inReplyTo,
-          'References': inReplyTo,
-          'X-Thread-ID': submission.thread_id
+          'References': referenceChain,
+          'X-Thread-ID': submission.thread_id,
+          'X-Ticket-Number': ticketNumber
         }
       })
     });
diff --git a/supabase/functions/send-contact-message/index.ts b/supabase/functions/send-contact-message/index.ts
index a4252999..a037e6bb 100644
--- a/supabase/functions/send-contact-message/index.ts
+++ b/supabase/functions/send-contact-message/index.ts
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ const handler = async (req: Request): Promise<Response> => {
       userId = user?.id || null;
     }
 
-    // Insert contact submission
+    // Insert contact submission (ticket number auto-generated by trigger)
     const { data: submission, error: insertError } = await supabase
       .from('contact_submissions')
       .insert({
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ const handler = async (req: Request): Promise<Response> => {
         ip_address_hash: ipHash,
         status: 'pending'
       })
-      .select()
+      .select('*, ticket_number')
       .single();
 
     if (insertError) {
@@ -174,6 +174,9 @@ const handler = async (req: Request): Promise<Response> => {
     const fromEmail = Deno.env.get('FROM_EMAIL_ADDRESS') || 'noreply@thrillwiki.com';
     const forwardEmailKey = Deno.env.get('FORWARDEMAIL_API_KEY');
 
+    const ticketNumber = submission.ticket_number || 'PENDING';
+    const messageId = `<${ticketNumber}.${submission.id}@thrillwiki.com>`;
+
     if (forwardEmailKey) {
       // Send admin notification
       fetch('https://api.forwardemail.net/v1/emails', {
@@ -185,9 +188,10 @@ const handler = async (req: Request): Promise<Response> => {
         body: JSON.stringify({
           from: fromEmail,
           to: adminEmail,
-          subject: `New Contact Form Submission - ${category.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + category.slice(1)}`,
+          subject: `[${ticketNumber}] New Contact - ${category.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + category.slice(1)}`,
           text: `A new contact message has been received:
 
+Ticket: ${ticketNumber}
 From: ${name} (${email})
 Category: ${category.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + category.slice(1)}
 Subject: ${subject}
@@ -199,6 +203,10 @@ Reference ID: ${submission.id}
 Submitted: ${new Date(submission.created_at).toLocaleString()}
 
 View in admin panel: https://thrillwiki.com/admin/contact`,
+          headers: {
+            'Message-ID': messageId,
+            'X-Ticket-Number': ticketNumber
+          }
         }),
       }).catch(err => {
         edgeLogger.error('Failed to send admin notification', { requestId, error: err.message });
@@ -214,25 +222,37 @@ View in admin panel: https://thrillwiki.com/admin/contact`,
         body: JSON.stringify({
           from: fromEmail,
           to: email,
-          subject: "We've received your message - ThrillWiki Support",
+          subject: `[${ticketNumber}] We've received your message - ThrillWiki Support`,
           text: `Hi ${name},
 
 Thank you for contacting ThrillWiki! We've received your message and will respond within 24-48 hours.
 
 Your Message Details:
+Ticket Number: ${ticketNumber}
 Category: ${category.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + category.slice(1)}
 Subject: ${subject}
 
-Reference ID: ${submission.id}
+When replying to this email, please keep the ticket number in the subject line to ensure your response is properly tracked.
 
 Our support team will review your message and get back to you as soon as possible.
 
 Best regards,
 The ThrillWiki Team`,
+          headers: {
+            'Message-ID': messageId,
+            'X-Ticket-Number': ticketNumber,
+            'References': messageId
+          }
         }),
       }).catch(err => {
         edgeLogger.error('Failed to send confirmation email', { requestId, error: err.message });
       });
+
+      // Update thread_id with ticket number
+      await supabase
+        .from('contact_submissions')
+        .update({ thread_id: `ticket-${ticketNumber}` })
+        .eq('id', submission.id);
     }
 
     const duration = Date.now() - startTime;
@@ -246,7 +266,8 @@ The ThrillWiki Team`,
       JSON.stringify({
         success: true,
         submissionId: submission.id,
-        message: 'Your message has been received. We will respond within 24-48 hours.'
+        ticketNumber: ticketNumber,
+        message: `Your message has been received (Ticket: ${ticketNumber}). We will respond within 24-48 hours.`
       }),
       {
         status: 200,
diff --git a/supabase/migrations/20251028183015_3606a4e9-5807-4d64-989e-3b623ba9f5a9.sql b/supabase/migrations/20251028183015_3606a4e9-5807-4d64-989e-3b623ba9f5a9.sql
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9063ec13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/supabase/migrations/20251028183015_3606a4e9-5807-4d64-989e-3b623ba9f5a9.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+-- Add ticket number system to contact submissions
+-- Create sequence for ticket numbers starting at 100000
+CREATE SEQUENCE IF NOT EXISTS contact_ticket_number_seq START 100000;
+
+-- Add ticket_number column with unique constraint
+ALTER TABLE public.contact_submissions 
+ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS ticket_number TEXT UNIQUE;
+
+-- Create function to generate ticket number in format TW-XXXXXX
+CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION generate_ticket_number()
+RETURNS TEXT AS $$
+BEGIN
+  RETURN 'TW-' || LPAD(nextval('contact_ticket_number_seq')::TEXT, 6, '0');
+END;
+$$ LANGUAGE plpgsql SECURITY DEFINER;
+
+-- Create function to auto-set ticket number on insert
+CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION set_ticket_number()
+RETURNS TRIGGER AS $$
+BEGIN
+  IF NEW.ticket_number IS NULL THEN
+    NEW.ticket_number := generate_ticket_number();
+  END IF;
+  RETURN NEW;
+END;
+$$ LANGUAGE plpgsql SECURITY DEFINER;
+
+-- Add trigger to auto-generate ticket numbers
+DROP TRIGGER IF EXISTS set_ticket_number_trigger ON public.contact_submissions;
+CREATE TRIGGER set_ticket_number_trigger
+BEFORE INSERT ON public.contact_submissions
+FOR EACH ROW
+EXECUTE FUNCTION set_ticket_number();
+
+-- Backfill existing submissions with ticket numbers based on creation order
+DO $$
+DECLARE
+  rec RECORD;
+BEGIN
+  FOR rec IN 
+    SELECT id 
+    FROM public.contact_submissions 
+    WHERE ticket_number IS NULL 
+    ORDER BY created_at ASC
+  LOOP
+    UPDATE public.contact_submissions 
+    SET ticket_number = generate_ticket_number()
+    WHERE id = rec.id;
+  END LOOP;
+END $$;
+
+-- Add index for ticket_number lookups
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_contact_submissions_ticket_number 
+ON public.contact_submissions(ticket_number);
\ No newline at end of file