Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies, serving clients across music, sports, arts and theater events. With exclusive partnerships across thousands of venues and artists worldwide, Ticketmaster sells hundreds of millions of tickets every year. This gives it significant control over how event tickets are sold and resold.
Many people want to know if they can resell tickets they bought through Ticketmaster. The short answer is yes, reselling Ticketmaster tickets is allowed in most cases, but there are some important rules and restrictions to be aware of.
Can You Legally Resell Ticketmaster Tickets?
In most cases, reselling tickets purchased through Ticketmaster is legal. The first sale doctrine gives buyers of event tickets the right to resell them, even at marked up prices. Ticketmaster’s own Terms of Use allow ticket resale, as long as it follows their guidelines.
However, Ticketmaster tickets often come with restrictions set by the event organizer or venue. This can include:
| Restriction Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Non-transferable | Tickets cannot be resold or transferred to another person |
| Restricted transfer | Tickets can only be resold through approved resale platforms |
| Price floors | Tickets cannot be resold below face value |
| Price ceilings | Tickets cannot be resold above a set premium over face value |
It’s important to check for any special restrictions printed on the ticket before reselling. Violating these terms could result in ticket cancellation without refund or even legal action in some cases.
How to Tell if Your Ticketmaster Tickets Can Be Resold
There are a few ways to identify if your Ticketmaster tickets can be legally resold or not:
Check the Ticketmaster Ticket Listing
When purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster.com or its mobile apps, look for any resale restrictions in the ticket description:
- Non-transferrable tickets will be clearly labeled as such.
- “Resale restricted” means resale can only occur through approved platforms.
Look for Resale Restrictions on the Ticket
Carefully read all fine print on both the front and back of the printed ticket. Text may state if resale is prohibited or limited in some way. Barcodes can also indicate non-transferability.
Contact the Original Ticket Seller
If unsure, reach out to the original ticket seller (the event organizer, team box office, etc.) and ask about their resale policy for the event. This is the most reliable way to confirm if any limitations are in place.
Review the Venue’s Resale Policy
Many major venues have their own resale rules for all tickets purchased for events held there. Check the venue’s website or contact them to learn about restrictions.
How to Resell Ticketmaster Tickets
Assuming your Ticketmaster tickets do not have strict non-transferrable restrictions, there are several options for reselling them:
Ticketmaster’s Official Resale Platform
Ticketmaster facilitates exchanges through its Ticketmaster Resale (or Ticket Exchange) website and mobile app. Listings on its resale marketplace are verified, secure transactions. This is the best option for tickets with “Resale Restricted” labels, as it satisfies transfer limits set by the event organizer.
Other Ticket Resale Marketplaces
Major secondary ticket sellers like StubHub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek provide platforms to resell event tickets to other fans. These sites often have high visibility and buyer traffic. However, make sure the ticket does not have resale restrictions limiting sales to specific platforms.
Classified Listings and Social Media
Posting Ticketmaster tickets for sale on classifieds sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace is another popular resale method. You can also leverage your own social media network by advertising ticket availability to friends and followers. Just be sure the buyer pays securely and you deliver the ticket safely.
In-Person Exchanges
For local events, you may be able to find ticket buyers in your community through bulletin boards, local social media groups and old-fashioned word-of-mouth. Meet in a safe public place to exchange cash and tickets in person.
Outside the Venue
Some ticket holders try to offload extra tickets by approaching people near the venue on the day of the event. This is an unreliable strategy though, as you may be stuck with extras. Venues and artists also frown on last-minute ticket scalping outside their events without formal resale agreements in place.
Tips for Reselling Ticketmaster Tickets
If reselling your Ticketmaster tickets is allowed, here are some best practices to follow:
Sell Early
List tickets for sale as far in advance of the event date as possible. This gives you the greatest pool of potential buyers. Last minute resales often have to be heavily discounted.
Price Competitively
Research current resale prices for the event on secondary marketplaces and price your tickets competitively. Pricing too high means it will linger unsold.
Avoid Scams
Take measures to avoid fraudulent buyers and scams. Never deliver ticket transfers until payment fully clears. Release tickets just before the event. Require ID matching ticket buyer name upon entry.
Use Secure Payment
When selling directly to buyers, only accept secure methods like credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, etc. Avoid risky payments like wire transfers from strangers.
Beware Restricted Views
Disclose details like obstructed views or far distances from stage, if applicable. Buyers prefer informed transparency upfront versus disappointment later.
Split Large Orders
When reselling multiple tickets, consider splitting into smaller lot sizes. This opens your pool of buyers. Few can afford to buy 4+ tickets all at once.
Is Reselling Ticketmaster Tickets Worth It?
Reselling event tickets can be very lucrative, especially for hot shows that are sold out. Markups frequently range from 25% over face value into the hundreds of dollars per ticket. But there are also risks involved:
| Pros of Reselling Ticketmaster Tickets | Cons of Reselling Ticketmaster Tickets |
|---|---|
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Carefully weigh the potential upside against the risks and effort involved. For high demand events with no resale restrictions, reselling extra Ticketmaster tickets can be a smart move. But less popular events may struggle to find buyers and leave you stuck with unsold inventory.
Alternatives to Reselling Ticketmaster Tickets
If reselling does not make sense for your tickets, here are some other options:
Return Them
Check the original Ticketmaster purchase for any refund or exchange eligibility window. Many tickets allow returns for a limited period if unused.
Gift Them
Give unused Ticketmaster tickets to a friend, family member or work colleague. This avoids the hassle of reselling while also earning you some goodwill.
Donate Them
Donate extra tickets to charity so they can auction or raffle them off. This converts unused tickets into tax deductible contributions.
Keep Them
On the fence about attending? Hold onto tickets until right before the event in case your plans change. You can still try last minute resale.
Conclusion
Reselling Ticketmaster tickets is permitted in most cases but you need to be aware of key restrictions:
- Non-transferable tickets cannot be resold under any circumstance.
- Other restrictions may require using approved resale platforms or set price limits.
- Always check for resale rules on both Ticketmaster and the event before listing tickets for sale.
- When allowed, resale can earn you profits but has risks of unsold inventory and fraudulent buyers.
With the right expectations and precautions, reselling Ticketmaster tickets can be a decent side business. But it requires work and does not guarantee you can unload all extra tickets profitably. Weigh your options carefully to decide if pursuing ticket resale is right for your situation.