Reselling NFL tickets has become a major part of the NFL experience for many fans. With the advent of online ticket marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats, it’s easier than ever for fans to buy and sell tickets. But just how easy is it to resell NFL tickets these days? There are several factors to consider when reselling tickets, from setting a price to picking the right platform. This article will explore the ins and outs of reselling NFL tickets in today’s market.
The rising secondary ticket market
The secondary ticket market for NFL games has exploded in recent years. According to data from StubHub, the NFL secondary ticket market was worth $1.2 billion in 2015 alone. It’s estimated that over half of NFL tickets are now resold on secondary sites. This growth is fueled by the convenience of online selling platforms, as well as high demand from fans. As teams utilize variable and dynamic pricing models, face values fluctuate, often pricing out some fans. This drives demand to the secondary market.
Why do fans resell tickets?
There are a few key reasons fans look to resell NFL tickets:
- To make a profit – Tickets to big games or rivalries often sell for well above face value.
- Can’t attend game – If something comes up, reselling recoups some costs.
- Want to upgrade seats – Fans may resell less desirable tickets to buy better seats.
- Divide season tickets – Season ticket holders sometimes split packages and resell some games.
The ability to tap into massive fan demand and profit from extra tickets makes reselling an enticing option.
Picking the Right Ticket Reselling Platform
When getting ready to sell NFL tickets, the first big decision is choosing the right marketplace. Here are some of the top options:
StubHub
Owned by eBay, StubHub is the largest online ticket marketplace. It offers industry leading visibility and access to massive volume of buyers. StubHub takes a 10-15% commission on sales.
Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats is another leading secondary ticket site, featuring competitive commissions at 10-20%. They also offer a 100% buyer guarantee on valid tickets.
SeatGeek
SeatGeek is a rapidly growing resale site, focused on a mobile-first experience. Sellers benefit from low commission rates at just 10%.
Gametime
Gametime specializes in last minute tickets, with excellent mobile apps. Their commissions range from 5-15%. Less visibility than major sites, but good for selling at the last minute.
NFL Ticket Exchange
The NFL’s official ticket resale marketplace. As an official outlet, it offers confidence, with a guarantee on all tickets. Commission rates are around 15-20%.
Craigslist
The classifieds site allows completely free listing of tickets for local sales. Tickets can’t be shipped or instant downloaded, only hard tickets. No exposure to national buyers.
Here is a comparison of some key features of top NFL ticket resale sites:
Platform | Commissions | Guarantee | Exposure |
---|---|---|---|
StubHub | 10-15% | Guaranteed valid tickets | Industry leading |
Vivid Seats | 10-20% | 100% buyer guarantee | Very good |
SeatGeek | 10% | Basic guarantee | Good |
Gametime | 5-15% | Guarantee with insurance | Decent |
NFL Ticket Exchange | 15-20% | Official guarantee | Good |
Craigslist | 0% | No guarantees | Very low |
The large national marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats offer high visibility and strong guarantees, at the cost of higher commissions. Niche sites like Gametime can provide alternative options. Craigslist offers free listings but no guarantees or wide exposure.
How to Price NFL Tickets for Resale
Setting the right ticket price is crucial to actually selling them and maximizing profit. There are a few key factors to consider:
Current market price
Research what similar tickets are currently selling for on secondary sites. Optimal pricing is just below current lowest prices.
Matchup desirability
Big divisional or playoff matchups bring premium demand. Lesser games mean lower prices.
Team popularity
Major brands like the Cowboys, Steelers and Patriots sell for more than small market teams.
Seat location
Lower level mid-field seats are most coveted. Nosebleeds fetch lower prices.
Home vs away team
Tickets on the home side tend to sell for a bit more than visitor side seats.
Timing
Prices normally drop as game day nears, as sellers get anxious to deal. List early to maximize profit.
Here’s a look at average resale prices over the 2022 season for a sampling of teams:
Team | Average Resale Price | Highest Resale Game |
---|---|---|
Dallas Cowboys | $474 | $934 vs Eagles |
Green Bay Packers | $392 | $625 vs Bears |
Pittsburgh Steelers | $265 | $512 vs Buccaneers |
Miami Dolphins | $192 | $386 vs Bills |
The most in demand teams like the Cowboys and Packers fetched nearly double the average resale amount compared to lower profile teams. Rivalry and playoff implications also drove up prices for key games in every market.
When to sell
Aim to sell as early as possible, once tickets go on sale to season ticket holders. Prices normally decline over time. Last minute exceptions can occur if a game gains new marquee status late, like a pivotal playoff scenario.
How to List NFL Tickets For Sale
Once you’ve picked a marketplace and set your price, it’s time to create a quality listing. Follow these tips to maximize visibility and legitimacy:
Include important details
– Section, row and seat numbers
– Home or away side
– Any obstructed view warnings
– Parking pass inclusions
Add images
Show scans of the tickets and seat views to prove authenticity.
Note transfer method
Mobile transfer, overnight shipping, PDF, etc. Buyers want to know how they’ll receive tickets.
Highlight perks
Mention special amenities like VIP or all-inclusive offerings.
Be responsive
Reply promptly to any questions or offers. Avoiding communication is a red flag.
Review policies
Know the site’s policies around price changes, transfer limits, cancelations, etc. Abide by their rules.
Alternatives to Reselling NFL Tickets
While reselling provides an avenue to unload extra tickets, there are other options as well:
Give tickets to friends or family
Offer tickets no longer needed to people in your personal network. Great option to share experience.
Donate tickets
Teams and charities organize ticket donation programs, providing tax deductions as benefit.
Trade tickets
Swap your tickets for seats to another game through fan message boards and exchanges.
Eat the cost
If reselling isn’t worth the effort, can simply not use the tickets and absorb the sunk cost.
Factors That Impact Reselling Success
Achieving your goals reselling NFL tickets depends on several key factors:
Reseller reliability and rating
Sellers with long track records and positive reviews instill confidence in buyers.
Quality listing details
Photos, seat locations, and transfer policy info help tickets sell.
Desirability of matchup
Rivalries, playoffs and QB battles bring high demand. Weak opponents do not.
Timing of marketplace listing
Earlier exposure allows more views and sales at preferred prices.
General ticket supply and demand
Lower supply and higher demand improves leverage to get top dollar for tickets.
Common Mistakes
Some key missteps to avoid when reselling NFL tickets:
Dramatically overpricing tickets
Research market rates first. Going way above comparable sales will never work.
Waiting too long to sell
List as early as allowed. Maintain prices up until a 1-2 weeks prior to the game.
Selling fake or duplicated tickets
Only sell valid tickets in hand. Fake tickets can lead to major consequences.
Withholding important details
Clearly disclose seat locations, known obstructions, included amenities, etc.
Not monitoring listing
Stay on top of replying to questions, offer counters, etc. for successful sales.
Is Reselling NFL Tickets Worth It?
Here are the key pros and cons of reselling tickets:
Pros
- Opportunity to profit on high demand tickets
- Transfer unused tickets rather than wasting them
- Fun way to engage in fan marketplace
Cons
- Requires time and effort to manage sale
- No guarantee tickets will actually sell
- Fees paid to ticket marketplace platforms
For serious NFL fans, the chance to turn unused tickets into profits makes reselling an exciting endeavor. More casual fans may find the process not worth the time and risk. Having realistic expectations helps determine if reselling tickets is a worthwhile side hobby or revenue stream.
Conclusion
Reselling NFL tickets presents fans an opportunity to engage with the NFL ticket marketplace. While reselling has gotten much simpler in the age of online platforms, fans should educate themselves on factors like pricing, timing, listing quality, and more to execute sales successfully. There is decent money to be made reselling hot tickets, but less in demand games are tougher. With proper research and planning, fans can transform their unused NFL tickets into a fun profit center when life gets in the way of attending the big game.