With the rise of online ticket resale marketplaces, there are now many options for fans looking to buy or sell tickets to concerts, sports games, theater shows, and other live events. But with so many sites to choose from, how do you know which one is the best option?
In determining the best resale ticket site, there are a few key factors to consider:
Fees and commissions
Most resale sites charge fees to both buyers and sellers in order to facilitate transactions on their platform. This includes processing fees, service fees, and commission rates. The best sites offer competitive rates and transparent fee structures, allowing users to maximize their profits on ticket sales.
Ticket availability and selection
The largest resale markets feature millions of ticket listings across countless events, providing buyers with more options and higher chances of finding the tickets they want. More inventory and wider event selection are indicators of a more robust resale marketplace.
Buyer and seller protections
Legitimate sites offer guarantees and safeguards for both buyers and sellers throughout the ticketing process. This includes verifying tickets, holding payments until after events, and offering refunds in case of canceled events or fraud. The best platforms have robust security and fraud prevention measures in place.
Customer service and support
The top resale companies provide extensive customer service via phone, email, and chat support. This allows users to get assistance with purchases, sales, deliveries, and any issues that may arise before, during, or after a transaction. Responsiveness and problem resolution are key.
Brand reputation and trustworthiness
Established, well-known brands have earned trust within the industry over time. Review sites can provide insight into customer satisfaction levels and highlight any major complaints. More reputable companies tend to stand behind their service and offer better protection.
Ease of use
Between creating listings, making purchases, and transferring tickets, the platform should be intuitive and user-friendly. Clear navigation, listing tools, filtering, and simple checkout contribute to a smooth overall experience for buyers and sellers.
Top Resale Ticket Sites
Now that we’ve explored the key criteria in evaluating resale ticket platforms, let’s take a look at some of the leading options:
StubHub
As the largest player in the secondary ticket market, StubHub offers high liquidity, competitive fees, and robust processes.
Key stats and features:
- Founded in 2000, acquired by eBay in 2007, currently owned by Viagogo
- Over 10 million live events with tickets for sale each year
- Serves over 40 countries worldwide
- Seller fees of 10-15%; buyer fees of 5-10% plus delivery charges
- Dedicated customer service team available via phone, chat, and social media
- Official partnerships with MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and several large venues
- Mobile app available on iOS and Android
Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats is a major marketplace known for competitive pricing and industry-leading shopping tools.
Key stats and features:
- Founded in 2001 in Chicago, IL
- 5 million+ tickets listed at any given time
- Services provided in over 20 countries
- Seller fees of 10-20%; buyer fees of 10-25%
- 24/7 customer support via call, email, and chat
- Proprietary Deal Score pricing model and Vivid Insights data
- 125% seller guarantee and 100% buyer guarantee
- Partnerships with ESPN, SEC, and other major brands
TickPick
With no buyer fees and transparent pricing, TickPick sets itself apart from other big marketplaces.
Key stats and features:
- Founded in 2011 in New York, NY
- 2 million+ tickets available across 50,000+ events
- Provides ticket sales globally
- Seller fees of 5-10%; no buyer fees
- Direct marketplace pricing with no hidden costs
- Dedicated support team via phone, email, and live chat
- 125% seller guarantee
- Official ticket partner of Kevin Hart, Adam Sandler, and others
Gametime
Specializing in last-minute tickets, Gametime makes it easy to find deals on game day.
Key stats and features:
- Founded in San Francisco, CA in 2015
- Inventory of last-minute tickets seconds after tickets go on sale
- Focus on MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL tickets
- Seller fees of 5-15%; buyer fees of 5-20%
- Fast digital ticket delivery and entry into venues
- Bank-level encryption and guarantee on all tickets
- Partnerships with 900+ teams, artists, and theaters
- Convenient mobile app
SeatGeek
Known for its intuitive, colorful search results and Deal Score, SeatGeek is a go-to for finding ticket bargains.
Key stats and features:
- Created in 2009 in New York, NY
- 1.5 million+ tickets available across sports, concerts, and theater
- Services customers in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia
- Seller fees of 10-20%; buyer fees of 5-20%
- 100% buyer guarantee and buyer-seller protection
- Deal Score feature utilizes data to rate ticket deals
- Official ticketing partner of Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, and others
- iOS and Android apps
Comparing the Top Sites
To help summarize how the major ticket resale platforms stack up, here is a comparison table:
Site | Fees | Inventory | Protections | Support | Reputation | Ease of Use |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
StubHub | Competitive | 10M+ tickets | Robust | 24/7 team | Excellent | Easy |
Vivid Seats | Competitive | 5M+ tickets | Guarantees | 24/7 team | Strong | Advanced tools |
TickPick | Seller fees only | 2M+ tickets | Guarantees | Support team | Positive | Simple |
Gametime | Moderate | Real-time inventory | Guarantee | Email support | Mixed | Simple app |
SeatGeek | Moderate | 1.5M+ tickets | Guarantees | Email support | Positive | Intuitive |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about using resale ticket sites:
Are resale sites safe to buy from?
The top resale platforms use security protections like encryption, fraud monitoring, and ticket verification to keep transactions safe. Buying from large, reputable sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats greatly minimizes risks.
Are resale tickets guaranteed?
Most major resale sites offer buyer guarantees or protection that allow you to get a full refund if tickets are invalid or an event is canceled. Some also have seller guarantees against non-paying buyers.
What are the best sites for lowest prices?
Vivid Seats, TickPick, SeatGeek, and Gametime generally offer more price competition and tools to help find deals. Sales and promotions can also lead to lower prices.
When is the best time to buy resale tickets?
It depends on the event, but prices usually dip right before or on the day of the event as sellers lower costs to unload inventory. Earlier buys involve more risk but potentially better seat selection.
Are there fake tickets on resale sites?
Scam listings are very rare on reputable sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats. These platforms have protections in place to verify authenticity and prevent fraud. Direct communication with sellers also minimizes risk.
How do I get the tickets after purchasing?
Digital ticket delivery via the app or site account is most common. Some platforms also offer pickup at the venue or FedEx/overnight shipping for physical passes.
Can I sell tickets on any resale site?
Yes, the major sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats allow any user to post and sell tickets. Creating a seller account is free and simple to do.
Conclusion
While all the major secondary marketplaces have their merits, StubHub stands out as the best overall resale ticket site due to immense inventory, competitive fees, and strong protections. However, sports fans may prefer Vivid Seats, last-minute buyers can use Gametime, and bargain hunters tend to like TickPick and SeatGeek. No matter what events you’re targeting or goals you have, there are great options for buying and selling verified tickets from other fans online. Just be sure to compare features across different sites to determine the optimal platform for your needs.