Ticketmaster is one of the most well-known and widely used ticket sales and distribution companies, particularly for major sporting events like football games. But is it a legit and reliable way to get tickets? Here is a closer look at Ticketmaster and what to know about using it to buy football tickets.
What is Ticketmaster?
Ticketmaster is a ticket sales and distribution company that was founded in 1976. It sells tickets for concert, sports, and theater events on behalf of event organizers and venues. Ticketmaster dominates the ticket sales market, selling tickets for the vast majority of major concerts, shows, and sporting events in the United States and beyond.
Some key things to know about Ticketmaster:
- Provides ticket sales and distribution services for over 500,000 events each year
- Owns or has exclusive deals with major venues and event organizers like Live Nation
- Sells tickets through its website, mobile app, phone sales, and box office outlets
- Charges service fees on top of ticket prices to buyers
- Has faced anti-trust and unfair pricing lawsuits and criticisms over the years
So in summary, Ticketmaster is the dominant player in event ticketing and has exclusive deals with many major venues and leagues like the NFL. It sells tickets on behalf of teams and venues and charges buyers additional fees.
How does Ticketmaster sell NFL football tickets?
Ticketmaster has contracts with 28 out of the 32 NFL teams to be an official ticket reseller for those franchises. So it sells the official tickets directly from the team box offices and stadiums.
Some key ways Ticketmaster sells NFL tickets:
- Primary market sales – Fans can buy tickets directly from the team’s allotment on Ticketmaster. These are full price face value tickets coming directly from the NFL team.
- Secondary market sales – Ticketmaster also resells tickets fans are reselling through its NFL Ticket Exchange platform. Prices are often above face value.
- Season ticket holders selling – Season ticket holders can sell their tickets through Ticketmaster as the official secondary ticket seller.
- Fan-to-fan exchanges – Fans can transfer or sell tickets to other fans through Ticketmaster’s exchange system.
- Last minute sales – Unsold tickets are often made available through Ticketmaster right before game time.
In summary, Ticketmaster sells the official primary allotment of tickets for most NFL teams. It also operates the secondary market for resales and exchanges.
Are there fees when buying from Ticketmaster?
Yes, one of the main drawbacks of Ticketmaster that leads to frustration for many NFL fans is the fees. There are often numerous fees tacked on top of the base ticket price.
Some common Ticketmaster fees include:
- Service fee – This ranges from 10% to 25% of the ticket price and goes to Ticketmaster.
- Order processing fee – A fixed per-ticket fee around $5-$25.
- Facility charge – This charge goes to the stadium or event venue.
- Shipping fees – For mailed tickets, generally around $20-$25 per order.
- Taxes and government fees – Local taxes and fees required by law.
All said, fees can add a significant amount to the cost of NFL tickets purchased through Ticketmaster. Some estimate the total fees end up being 30-40% or more on top of the base price.
Are there alternatives to buy NFL tickets?
While Ticketmaster is the main source, there are some other options football fans can consider for buying NFL tickets without the high Ticketmaster fees:
- NFL Ticket Exchange – The NFL’s official ticket resale marketplace. Season ticket holders resell tickets here. There are no fees which can make it cheaper than Ticketmaster in many cases.
- StubHub – Reputable general secondary ticket marketplace similar to Ticketmaster. StubHub fees are generally less extreme.
- Gametime – Last minute ticket app that often offers deals on unsold last minute tickets.
- VividSeats – Secondary ticket seller with large NFL inventory and sometimes better prices than Ticketmaster.
- SeatGeek – Competitor to StubHub and VividSeats with robust NFL ticket inventory.
- Craigslist – Classifieds site where fans resell tickets. Tickets must be transferred digitally. Offers potential for deals but less buyer protection.
- Facebook Ticket Groups – Join team fan groups and buy tickets from other fans. Provides options but less formal structure.
These secondary marketplaces and alternatives sometimes have lower prices or fees compared to Ticketmaster. However, tickets are often coming from season ticket holders or other fans rather than directly from teams. There are risks of fraud and no guarantees on authenticity.
Is Ticketmaster legit and reliable for NFL tickets?
Despite some downsides with fees, using Ticketmaster to buy NFL tickets is generally considered safe, legit, and reliable. Some reasons it can be one of the best options:
- Ticketmaster sells the official primary tickets directly from NFL teams for face value prices.
- They guarantee all tickets sold through Ticketmaster are authentic and valid.
- Ticketmaster has technical safeguards and protections against fraud.
- Tickets are transferable between fans through Ticketmaster’s official NFL Ticket Exchange.
- Ticketmaster has excellent customer support via phone, chat, and their support center.
- Refunds, exchanges, and cancellations are available in many cases.
While fees are higher, fans can feel confident buying NFL tickets through Ticketmaster. The tickets come directly from the source, are 100% valid and authentic, and have consumer protections in place.
Tips for saving money on Ticketmaster NFL tickets
Here are some tips to consider to get the best deal on NFL tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Buy early – Tickets tend to be cheaper the earlier you buy as demand increases closer to games.
- Avoid primetime/rivalry games – Less in-demand games like a Thursday night game offer more chance for deals.
- Check for presales and promos – Sign up for Ticketmaster’s emails for special access to presales and promo code offers.
- Consider upper deck or end zone seats – You can often find much lower prices in the upper sections and end zones versus lower level midfield seats.
- Buy single tickets – Sometimes singles priced to sell are cheaper than buying in pairs or groups.
- Use mobile tickets – Mobile entry tickets avoid the fees associated with mailing printed tickets.
Buying ahead, being flexible on seating areas, and taking advantage of promos can help fans find the best NFL ticket prices even when buying through Ticketmaster and their fees.
Conclusion
While there are some drawbacks like high fees, Ticketmaster remains one of the best and most popular options for NFL fans to purchase tickets. The tickets come directly from the teams, are 100% guaranteed valid, and have consumer protections in place. Fans can confidently buy tickets on Ticketmaster knowing they are official event tickets. Using strategies like buying early, avoiding prime games, and going for upper deck seats can help mitigate some of Ticketmaster’s fees. Overall Ticketmaster is considered a reliable and recommended way for football fans to buy NFL tickets, especially those looking for a fully legit ticket source direct from the teams.