Does Ticketmaster accept Viagogo tickets?

Ticketmaster and Viagogo are two of the biggest ticket retailers in the world. Many people use these sites to buy tickets for concerts, sports events, and more. However, confusion exists around whether tickets bought on Viagogo will be accepted at events that use Ticketmaster for entry. This article will examine if Ticketmaster accepts Viagogo tickets and provide guidance for consumers.

The relationship between Ticketmaster and Viagogo

Ticketmaster and Viagogo have a complex relationship. Here are some key points about how the two companies interact:

• Ticketmaster is an official ticket retailer – it partners directly with event organizers to sell the initial release of tickets.
• Viagogo is a secondary ticket marketplace – tickets are resold on Viagogo by individuals, sometimes at inflated prices.
• There is no official partnership between the companies – Viagogo operates independently from Ticketmaster.
• However, in some cases, Ticketmaster does allow Viagogo tickets to be used at its events. This is determined on an event-by-event basis.

So while Ticketmaster does not directly partner with or endorse Viagogo, tickets bought on Viagogo may sometimes be valid for entry. But this is decided case by case, depending on the specific event policies.

Why doesn’t Ticketmaster universally accept Viagogo tickets?

There are a few key reasons why Ticketmaster does not have an outright policy to accept all Viagogo tickets:

• Verification concerns – Ticketmaster cannot verify if Viagogo tickets are valid and were sourced legally, so accepting them poses a risk.
• Anti-resale policies – Some event organizers restrict ticket resale as part of their contract with Ticketmaster.
• Loss of revenue – Ticketmaster misses out on additional booking fees when tickets are resold through Viagogo instead of their own resale platform.
• Reputation – Officially accepting all Viagogo tickets could be seen as Ticketmaster endorsing the secondary market.

Ultimately, Ticketmaster needs to balance consumer demand for flexibility against the desire of event partners to limit unofficial ticket resales. This results in the ambiguous policies around Viagogo.

Factors that impact whether Viagogo tickets will be accepted

While each event will set its own policies, there are some general factors that make it more or less likely for Ticketmaster to accept Viagogo tickets:

The event organizer’s stance on resale

If the original event organizer takes an open stance on ticket resale, Ticketmaster is more likely to allow Viagogo tickets. Events with tight restrictions are less likely to accept them.

Whether the event uses paper or e-tickets

Paper tickets have no names attached, making them easier to resell without detection. E-tickets are linked to specific buyers, so resale is identified more easily. Paper ticket events tend to accept Viagogo tickets more readily.

The popularity and profile of the event

For high-demand events where tickets sell out quickly, organizers are more motivated to limit resale. Niche events are often more lax. So major concerts or games may not accept Viagogo tickets, while smaller events will.

Whether the tickets were originally sold via Ticketmaster

If Ticketmaster was the original ticketing vendor, they can more easily verify if Viagogo tickets are legitimate. Tickets originally sold through other vendors are harder to validate.

Policies of major event organizers

Popular recurring events and venues have established policies around accepting Viagogo tickets. These policies shed light on the general acceptance of Viagogo:

NFL games

The National Football League maintains tight control over ticket resale. Viagogo tickets are not accepted for entry to NFL games, except when the original ticket holder accompanies the Viagogo buyer.

Olympics

The International Olympic Committee prohibits unauthorized resale of Olympic tickets. Viagogo tickets are not accepted due to anti-scalping laws.

Glastonbury Festival

Glastonbury’s anti-tout policies mean Viagogo tickets are invalid for entry. The festival strongly warns against using unauthorized resellers.

O2 Arena London

This major entertainment venue does not accept Viagogo or other resale tickets unless they are verifiable e-tickets transferred officially via Ticketmaster.

Steps to maximize chances of Viagogo tickets being accepted

If you want to purchase tickets via Viagogo, there are some precautions you can take to make acceptance more likely:

• Check the event’s official policy – some publish guidance on resale.
• Only buy e-tickets that can be transferred to you officially.
• Avoid paper tickets, as they cannot be verified.
• Try to buy tickets originally sold by Ticketmaster.
• Contact the seller to confirm they legally own the tickets.
• Arrange to enter the event with the seller, if possible.

Following these tips maximizes the chances of Viagogo tickets being accepted by Ticketmaster. But there is still risk involved in using unofficial resale platforms.

Best practices for buying tickets

To avoid issues altogether, it’s safest to buy tickets through official channels. Here are some best practices:

• Purchase from Ticketmaster directly during general sales.
• Use Ticketmaster’s fan-to-fan exchange for resales if possible.
• Check directly with the event before buying third party to understand their policies.
• Avoid buying paper tickets, as they cannot be verified.
• Be wary of prices that seem inflated compared to face value.

Following authorized routes offers more purchase protection and reduces the risk of rejection at the door.

Conclusion

In summary, Ticketmaster’s policies on accepting Viagogo tickets vary:

• There is no outright ban, but also no official partnership.
• Acceptance depends on the event’s specific resale policies.
• E-tickets directly transferred via Ticketmaster have the most success.
• Paper tickets and those not originally sold by Ticketmaster carry risk.
• Buyers should check with event organizers before purchasing high-priced secondhand tickets.

The safest option is to purchase through official channels directly from Ticketmaster. But with some precautions, Viagogo can be used successfully in many cases. Consumers must understand the risks involved when utilizing unauthorized resellers. Careful checking of policies is advised before spending large amounts on resold event tickets.