Quick Answer
There are a few key reasons why you may not be able to list tickets for resale on Ticketmaster:
- The event organizer has put restrictions on resale tickets for that particular event.
- You purchased restricted view or “platinum” tickets, which cannot be resold on Ticketmaster.
- You are attempting to resell tickets within 24 hours of the event start time.
- The tickets are mobile/print-at-home only, so they cannot be transferred or resold on Ticketmaster.
- You are trying to resell tickets that were free or won through a promotion.
The event organizer ultimately decides the resale policy for tickets. If resale is not allowed, Ticketmaster will prevent you from listing those tickets to resell on their platform. Certain ticket types like restricted view and platinum also cannot be resold. So check the fine print when purchasing to see the resale policy.
Event Organizer Resale Restrictions
The most common reason you may be unable to resell tickets on Ticketmaster is that the original event organizer or artist has placed restrictions on the resale of tickets.
When event organizers partner with Ticketmaster for ticket sales, they get to decide on the transfer and resale policy for those tickets. Many major concerts, sporting events, and big Broadway shows will limit or prohibit the resale of tickets.
They do this to discourage scalping and ensure fairness in ticket access. It also allows them to control pricing on the secondary market. Some events will only allow tickets to be resold through approved resale marketplaces or at certain price limits.
So if you try to resell restricted tickets on Ticketmaster and get an error, it is likely because the event organizer has not enabled resale. You would need to go through their approved secondary marketplace instead.
Examples of Events with Resale Restrictions
- Major concerts – Ex. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, Beyonce and Jay-Z’s On the Run Tour
- Big Broadway shows – Ex. Hamilton, Wicked, The Lion King
- Sporting events – Ex. Super Bowl, Wimbledon Finals, Olympics
- Music festivals – Ex. Coachella, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits
The resale policy will usually be listed during the ticket purchase process or on the tickets themselves. But if unsure, you will find out when attempting to resell on Ticketmaster.
Restricted View and Platinum Tickets
In addition to event restrictions, certain ticket types like restricted view and platinum tickets also cannot be resold on Ticketmaster.
Restricted view tickets are seats with limited or obstructed visibility of the stage or field. This could be due to poles, production equipment, or other factors that impact sight lines. These discounted tickets cannot be resold on Ticketmaster.
Platinum tickets are premium tickets sold at fluctuating “market price” rates, similar to airline seats. The prices adjust according to demand. These also cannot be resold as Ticketmaster handles the pricing.
So if you purchased either of these special ticket types, you will be unable to list them for resale on Ticketmaster. The original purchaser must use these non-transferrable tickets.
Attempting to Resell Too Close to Event
Ticketmaster also places restrictions on reselling tickets within 24 hours of the event’s start time.
This policy aims to discourage last minute scalping. It also reduces instances where tickets are resold multiple times right before an event when it is too late for the tickets to be delivered in time.
So if you try to list tickets for resale the day before or day of an event, you will likely get an error on Ticketmaster. You either need to use the tickets yourself or try to resell them earlier.
Mobile/Print-at-Home Ticket Restrictions
Mobile tickets and print-at-home tickets cannot be resold on Ticketmaster as they prevent transfers.
When you purchase these type of digital tickets, the barcodes are tied specifically to the original purchaser. This eliminates reselling as the barcode only allows the person who bought the tickets entry.
Mobile or print-at-home delivery options are becoming more popular as they reduce fees and are more convenient. But it also means those tickets cannot be resold or transferred if plans change.
The tickets would need to be standard “hard” tickets issued on paper stock and shipped to the buyer to allow for resale on sites like Ticketmaster.
Tickets Won Through Promotions
Finally, tickets that were free or won through promotions, contests, giveaways, etc. also typically cannot be resold.
This ensures that promotional tickets go to fans rather than scalpers trying to make a profit. Any tickets with a $0 value that were not purchased directly cannot be listed for resale on Ticketmaster.
How to Tell if Your Tickets Are Resale Restricted
Here are some tips for finding out if your tickets can be resold on Ticketmaster:
- Check during the ticket purchase process for any resale restrictions listed
- Look for verbiage on the tickets themselves indicating “No Resale” or other restrictions
- Avoid assuming mobile tickets or print-at-home tickets can be resold, as they usually cannot be
- Review the Ticketmaster resale FAQs for that particular event
- Try listing a ticket for resale – Ticketmaster will let you know if prohibited
Doing your due diligence before purchasing tickets can prevent issues trying to resell later. Events often change resale policies year to year, so always check the details for that specific event and ticket type.
Other Options if You Cannot Resell on Ticketmaster
If Ticketmaster is restricting resale of your tickets, you have a few options:
- Resell through the event’s approved secondary ticket marketplace
- Sell on other resale sites like StubHub, VividSeats, SeatGeek, etc.
- List them on general marketplace sites like Craigslist or Facebook
- Give or gift the tickets to friends and family
While Ticketmaster has the widest reach, you can still resell tickets via other channels if needed. Be sure the tickets do not have other restrictions before listing them elsewhere.
For high demand events, there is almost always demand on other resale sites too. You may take a small hit on the price compared to Ticketmaster, but can likely still sell them.
As a last resort, giving tickets away or using them yourself are options if all else fails. But be aware of the original resale restrictions in place to stay compliant.
Conclusion
In summary, event organizers ultimately decide if tickets can be resold on Ticketmaster for their events. Certain ticket types like restricted view and platinum seats also cannot be resold on their platform. You also cannot resell within 24 hours of an event starting or list mobile/print-at-home tickets. Checking for resale policies before purchasing and reading the fine print is key to avoiding issues later when trying to resell tickets. If Ticketmaster restrictions prohibit you from reselling,
try other secondary sites or marketplaces instead to recoup costs.