The relationship between NFL Ticket Exchange and Ticketmaster is a bit complicated. While the two are affiliated, NFL Ticket Exchange operates as its own separate ticket resale marketplace.
The History of NFL Ticket Exchange
NFL Ticket Exchange was launched in 2008 as the official secondary ticket marketplace of the National Football League. It was created to provide fans with a safe and convenient way to buy and sell tickets to NFL games.
Prior to the creation of NFL Ticket Exchange, many fans used third-party sites like StubHub and eBay to resell tickets. However, there were often concerns around fraudulent listings and counterfeit tickets on these marketplaces.
The NFL wanted to give fans an official and protected marketplace to transact. So they partnered with Ticketmaster to build and operate NFL Ticket Exchange as the league’s official ticket resale site.
The Relationship Between NFL Ticket Exchange and Ticketmaster
While Ticketmaster helped build and run NFL Ticket Exchange, the two sites operate independently.
NFL Ticket Exchange is its own separate website and app. It has its own URL, database of ticket listings, sales history, seller ratings, and customer service team.
However, there is some integration between the two entities:
- They share some corporate infrastructure and ticketing technology.
- Accounts can be linked between the two marketplaces.
- Tickets sold on NFL Ticket Exchange are often fulfilled via Ticketmaster’s delivery and transfer system.
So in summary:
- NFL Ticket Exchange is owned and operated by the NFL.
- Ticketmaster helped build the exchange and handles some of the technical backend.
- But the two sites function as separate, standalone marketplaces.
Comparing NFL Ticket Exchange and Ticketmaster
While NFL Ticket Exchange focuses specifically on NFL tickets, Ticketmaster is a general marketplace for tickets to all live events. Here is a comparison of some key features:
Feature | NFL Ticket Exchange | Ticketmaster |
---|---|---|
Primary focus | NFL tickets only | Multi-genre: Concerts, sports, theater, etc. |
New (primary) ticket sales | No | Yes |
Resale (secondary) ticket sales | Yes | Yes |
Sellers | Individual ticket holders | Mix of venues, teams, individuals |
Buyer fees | Lower – no added fees | Higher – typically 20%+ fees added |
NFL team affiliation | Official marketplace | No official affiliation |
Customer support | NFL Ticket Exchange reps | Ticketmaster reps |
So in summary, NFL Ticket Exchange offers official resale tickets just for NFL games, while Ticketmaster has a wider selection but higher fees.
Buying NFL Tickets on Ticketmaster
While Ticketmaster doesn’t sell the NFL’s primary tickets, it does facilitate some secondary market sales for NFL games. Sellers can list NFL tickets on Ticketmaster just like any other event.
However, there are a few drawbacks to buying NFL tickets on Ticketmaster instead of NFL Ticket Exchange:
- Higher buyer fees – Ticketmaster adds surcharges to the ticket price.
- Less buyer protections – No guarantee from the NFL on validity.
- Fewer NFL perks – Like season ticket holder benefits.
- Potentially less inventory – NFL Ticket Exchange has more league-verified sellers.
That said, some buyers may find Ticketmaster more convenient if they already have an account and don’t want to use another marketplace just for NFL tickets.
Selling NFL Tickets on Ticketmaster
For sellers, listing NFL tickets on Ticketmaster vs. NFL Ticket Exchange offers different benefits:
- Wider exposure on Ticketmaster – Their large customer base reaches non-NFL fans.
- Higher sales commissions on NFL Ticket Exchange – Around 15% vs. Ticketmaster’s 10%.
- More seller protections on NFL Ticket Exchange – Including ticket transfer guarantees.
Season ticket holders with multiple games will probably prefer listing on NFL Ticket Exchange. But casual sellers may like Ticketmaster for its broader audience.
Conclusion
While NFL Ticket Exchange and Ticketmaster are affiliated partners, they operate as separate resale marketplaces.
NFL Ticket Exchange is the NFL’s official secondary ticket outlet. It offers buyers and sellers official protection, support, and guarantees from the league.
Ticketmaster provides a more general marketplace that handles NFL tickets among many other events. Buyers can comparison shop on both sites when looking for the best deals on NFL games.