Yes, there are several ways to purchase tickets without going through Ticketmaster. While Ticketmaster is the dominant ticket seller, especially for major concerts and sporting events, there are alternatives in many cases.
Buy Directly from the Venue
For smaller venues and events, you may be able to purchase tickets directly from the venue’s box office, either in person or online. Many theaters, clubs, and arenas sell tickets through their own website. This allows you to avoid ticket fees charged by third-party sellers like Ticketmaster.
Of course, this option only works if the venue is not contractually obligated to sell through Ticketmaster. For big concerts by major touring acts, tickets will typically be funneled through Ticketmaster or other major ticket companies. But for local shows, minor league sports, and other small events, going straight to the venue’s box office is worth a try.
Use an Alternative Ticket Seller
There are some other major ticket sellers that can be used instead of Ticketmaster in many cases. Two of the biggest are AXS and eTix. AXS is owned by AEG and is often used for events at AEG venues. eTix primarily sells tickets for sporting events, concerts, and theater performances.
StubHub and Vivid Seats are two large ticket resellers that get their inventory from season ticket holders, brokers, and fans reselling tickets. This can be an option to find tickets, often at marked up prices, when events are sold out or hard to get.
Buy from the Artist or Team
For major touring performers, sports teams, and other organizations with big fan bases, tickets may be sold directly through their official website or fan clubs. The artist or team gets to keep more of the ticket revenue this way. However, these official tickets often still use one of the major ticket companies to facilitate the sales.
Use Membership Presales
Many artists and teams offer first access to tickets through official fan club memberships or other programs. These presale events allow registered members to purchase tickets before the general public. Presales commonly use Ticketmaster, but may direct buyers to use other ticketing platforms as well.
Go Through an Authorized Reseller
Some events may have special partnerships or deals with certain authorized ticket resellers. For example, a concert venue may funnel excess tickets to a specific reseller. These authorized resellers have official partnerships with the organizations involved.
This is different from secondary ticket marketplaces like StubHub where ticket holders can resell to fans. But in some cases, the authorized resellers may offer ways to buy tickets without Ticketmaster fees.
Use Ticket Lotteries or Rush Programs
For very popular shows or games that sell out quickly, some ticketing systems offer lotteries or rush programs. This gives fans a chance to purchase any last-minute released tickets for sold out events.
Lotteries allow you to register for a chance to buy tickets, while rush involves lining up in person on the day of an event. Either way, the tickets are purchased directly from the venue rather than a separate seller.
Wait Until the Last Minute
Procrastination pays off sometimes. If an event does not sell out, venues will often release tickets to third-party resellers in the final days or hours leading up to showtime. Tickets that were originally only available through Ticketmaster may become available on alternate sites closer to the event.
Of course, this is a risky strategy. Popular events will sell out quickly. But for less in-demand events, last minute tickets may pop up on various sites across the web, potentially avoiding Ticketmaster fees.
Consider Ticket Alternatives
Depending on the event, you may be able to avoid the crazy ticket scramble altogether. Some venues offer lawn or standing room only tickets for low prices. Others have affordable options like obstructed view seats or single-day passes.
Free events are another great option. Outdoor concerts, bar shows, community events, and other free programming allows you to skip the messy ticket process entirely!
Conclusion
Ticketmaster still dominates much of the ticket sales market, especially for major concerts and sporting events. But with the right timing and research, tickets can often be purchased through alternate sellers or directly from the venue.
Your best chance is looking for tickets to smaller events, through fan presales, or last minute deals as an event approaches. Be sure to check the official box office website and fan clubs when tickets initially go on sale for the widest selection of options.
While buying tickets can be frustrating, persistence and creativity in finding alternatives to Ticketmaster can pay off!
Option | Pros | Cons |
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Buy from Venue Box Office |
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Use Alternative Ticket Seller |
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Buy Direct from Artist/Team |
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Use Presales |
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Authorized Resellers |
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Lotteries/Rush |
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Last Minute Buying |
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Ticket Alternatives |
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Key Tips for Buying Without Ticketmaster
- Check venue box office first, especially for smaller events
- Use fan presales and artist websites when available
- Consider alternate ticket sellers like AXS and eTix
- Explore low-cost ticket alternatives where possible
- Try last minute buying a few days before the event
- Sign up for fan clubs and promotions to get presale access
While scoring tickets these days can be maddening, alternatives to Ticketmaster do exist in many cases. With smart shopping and strategic timing, you can minimize fees and still see your favorite sports teams, artists, and shows.
Avoiding Ticketmaster takes effort and flexibility, but is possible much of the time. And anything that saves money and gets tickets directly into the hands of fans is a welcome improvement for a live event industry in need of an overhaul.