With ticket prices skyrocketing and shows selling out in seconds, more and more fans are turning to the secondary ticket market to score seats. This has led many to wonder – just how late can you resell tickets on sites like StubHub and VividSeats? Here we’ll take an in-depth look at the ins and outs of reselling Ticketmaster tickets after the initial onsale.
Can You Resell Ticketmaster Tickets After Purchase?
The short answer is yes, you can resell Ticketmaster tickets at any point after purchasing them. There is no time limit set by Ticketmaster restricting when tickets can be resold or transferred. As soon as you complete the ticket purchase and receive the ticket barcode, you have the right to resell or transfer those tickets however you see fit.
That said, there are a few things to keep in mind when reselling Ticketmaster tickets:
- Ticket Transferability – Some tickets may include restrictions set by the event organizer that prohibit transfers. Always check your ticket details to confirm transferability before reselling.
- Cancellations – If an event is cancelled and refunds are issued, original ticket purchasers will receive refunds, not secondary buyers. You may lose money reselling tickets to a cancelled event.
- Fees – On Ticketmaster, only season ticket holders can sell their tickets fee-free. All other sellers will pay a reseller fee.
As long as your Ticketmaster tickets don’t have special transfer restrictions and the event hasn’t been cancelled, you can post them for resale at any point after you complete the initial ticket purchase.
When is the Best Time to Resell Ticketmaster Tickets?
When it comes to maximizing your profit, timing is everything. Here are some tips on when to sell your tickets:
- Immediately After Onsale – Fans who missed out will pay premium prices for hot tickets on secondary sites. Prices typically drop over time as more inventory hits resale.
- Right Before the Event – Demand and prices can spike right before showtime. But this is risky – you could get stuck with unsold last-minute tickets.
- After Sellouts – Prices tend to peak after shows completely sell out on Ticketmaster.
- Upon Tour/Schedule Announcements – Announcements create buzz and excitement, driving up demand.
Ultimately there is no one-size-fits-all rule. Prices fluctuate in the secondary market leading up to events. Tracking ticket trends over time gives you a sense of when demand and prices will be highest.
How Late Can You Resell Ticketmaster Tickets?
Technically tickets can be resold right up until the event starts, but there are risks to selling at the last minute:
- Buyers may not receive mobile tickets in time
- Tickets could get left unsold
- Late buyers expect steep discounts
Most experts recommend stopping sales 1-3 weeks before the event. This gives buyers time to receive and verify their tickets. Ending sales too close to showtime increases the risk tickets go unsold.
Here are some general cut-off times to stop reselling tickets:
| Event Type | Cut-Off Time |
|---|---|
| Concerts | 1-2 weeks before |
| Sports | 2-3 weeks before |
| Theater | 1 week before |
Season ticket holders with transferable tickets may be able to sell closer to event times. But they run the risk of getting stuck with unsold tickets at the last minute.
How to Resell Ticketmaster Tickets
You have a few options for reselling your Ticketmaster tickets:
Ticketmaster’s Official Resale Market
Ticketmaster has its own verified resale marketplace. Sellers can post their tickets directly through their Ticketmaster account. Buyers can shop resale inventory knowing tickets are legit directly from Ticketmaster. There are some advantages to Ticketmaster resale:
- No haggling – All prices are firm
- Guaranteed valid tickets
- Convenient checkout and delivery
The downsides are Ticketmaster’s high seller fees (up to 30%) and lack of price transparency. There’s no way to view historical resale data.
Third-Party Resale Sites
Dozens of third-party platforms like StubHub, VividSeats and SeatGeek also resell Ticketmaster tickets. Sellers list their asking price, buyers make offers, and deals are negotiated. Pros of third-party resellers:
- Lower seller fees (10-20%)
- Tools to analyze historical resale prices
- Wide selection of tickets
- Set your own resale price
The downside is less buyer protections compared to Ticketmaster. There’s higher risk of fraud and invalid tickets. But top third-party platforms thoroughly vet their sellers to build trust.
Social Media & Marketplaces
Some sellers use Facebook Groups, Craigslist or eBay to resell event tickets. This opens you up to a massive buyer pool but comes with significant risks:
- No guarantees tickets are valid or will be delivered
- Little recourse for buyer if scammed
- Limited tools to compare resale value
- Cumbersome payment and delivery logistics
Social platforms can work in a bind, but lack protections and visibility into competitive pricing.
Recap
To summarize the key points:
- Ticketmaster tickets can be resold at any point after purchase as long as not restricted
- Best times to sell are after onsales, sellouts and announcements
- Stop reselling 1-3 weeks before events to allow delivery
- Choose between Ticketmaster, third-parties, and social platforms to resell
- Consider fees, pricing analysis, and buyer protections of each option
While every event is different, following these general tips will help you maximize profits reselling your Ticketmaster tickets.
Conclusion
There are no hard rules restricting when Ticketmaster tickets can be resold. As the original ticket purchaser, you have full rights to resell or transfer tickets at your discretion. The best strategy is selling when demand is highest in the weeks right after onsales or announcements. Stop sales 1-3 weeks pre-event to ensure timely delivery. Compare Ticketmaster’s high-fee resale site against third-parties and social platforms to pick the best marketplace for reselling your specific tickets. With smart timing and platform choices, fans can often recoup costs or even profit on hot Ticketmaster tickets in the secondary market.
