Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. They provide ticketing services for many major sporting events, concerts, theater shows and more. Ticketmaster has long faced criticism for the fees they charge on top of the ticket prices set by event organizers. So how much in fees does Ticketmaster actually charge customers?
Ticketmaster Fees Overview
There is no single straightforward answer on Ticketmaster’s fees. The total fees charged by Ticketmaster vary based on factors like:
- The event type (sporting event, concert, etc)
- The popularity and scale of the event
- The base ticket price set by the event organizer
- Whether the ticket is sold during pre-sales or general on-sales
- Whether the ticket is for general admission or a premium seat
- The sales channel (online, phone, box office, etc)
That said, Ticketmaster does charge a range of standard fees on all ticket purchases.
Ticketmaster Service Fees
This is Ticketmaster’s main fee to cover their ticketing services. It is charged as a percentage on top of the ticket’s face value. The exact percentage charged varies based on factors like the event type and ticket value, but typically ranges between 10% to 25% of the base ticket price.
Ticketmaster Order Processing Fees
This is a flat per-ticket fee that Ticketmaster charges for order processing and fulfillment. It is typically around $5-$10 per ticket purchased.
Ticketmaster Delivery Fees
This is a flat fee Ticketmaster charges for ticket delivery. It ranges between $2-$12 per order, based on the delivery method selected (electronic, standard mail, will call pickup, etc). Electronic delivery generally has the lowest fees while courier delivery has the highest fees.
Facility Fees and Other Charges
In many cases, venues or event organizers will also tack on their own fees that get passed on to customers via Ticketmaster. These can include facility fees, venue maintenance fees, service fees, amusement fees and more. The amounts vary widely based on the specific venue and event.
Ticketmaster Fee Amounts by Event Type
To illustrate the range of Ticketmaster’s fees, here are some rough estimates of the company’s charges across different event categories:
Sporting Events
- Service fee: 10% – 25% of base ticket price
- Order processing fee: $5 – $10 per ticket
- Delivery fee: $2 – $12 per order
- Facility fee: Often $3 – $20 per ticket
For example, a $100 ticket to an NFL football game could incur around $25 in Ticketmaster fees alone.
Concerts
- Service fee: 15% – 25% of base ticket price
- Order processing fee: $5 – $10 per ticket
- Delivery fee: $2 – $12 per order
- Facility fee: $5 – $20 per ticket
So for instance, a $200 concert ticket may have $50 or more in Ticketmaster fees.
Theater Shows
- Service fee: 10% – 20% of base ticket price
- Order processing fee: $5 per ticket
- Delivery fee: $2 – $8 per order
- Facility fee: $5 – $15 per ticket
In this category, a $75 theater ticket may incur $15 – $25 in Ticketmaster fees
Smaller Events
- Service fee: 10% – 15% of base ticket price
- Order processing fee: $5 per ticket
- Delivery fee: $2 – $5 per order
- Facility fee: 0 – $10 per ticket
For lower-priced tickets under $50, Ticketmaster fees often represent a higher percentage of the overall cost. A $25 ticket could easily incur $10 or more in fees.
Factors That Influence Ticketmaster’s Fees
As seen above, Ticketmaster’s fees can vary widely depending on the event details. Some of the key factors that influence the total charges include:
The Popularity and Scale of the Event
Higher profile events allow Ticketmaster to charge higher fees. Fees for big artists like Taylor Swift or major sports leagues will be at the higher end of the range.
The Base Ticket Price
Service fees are charged as a percentage of the base ticket price. So more expensive ticket prices means more dollars in Ticketmaster fees.
Pre-sales vs. General On-Sales
It’s common for fees to be higher during pre-sales before tickets go on general sale to the public. This allows Ticketmaster to maximize revenue from die-hard fans.
Premium Seats vs. General Admission
For concerts, sporting events, etc. with both premium and general admission tickets, fees tend to be higher on the premium seats since those tickets already cost more to begin with.
Sales Channel
Buying tickets directly through Ticketmaster online or by phone generally incurs the highest fees. Third-party resellers may have lower fees in some cases.
Strategies for Avoiding High Ticketmaster Fees
While Ticketmaster fees are practically unavoidable, customers can employ some strategies to try minimizing the charges:
- Buy general admission/standard tickets instead of premium seats when possible;
- Purchase tickets well in advance during pre-sales instead of waiting until the last minute;
- Opt for electronic ticket delivery instead of physical delivery;
- Buy tickets directly from the venue box office if available;
- Consider reseller sites like StubHub that may have lower fees in some cases.
Waiving or reducing fees is also more common during pre-sales. Signing up for fan clubs or promoter pre-sales can provide early fee-waived ticket access before the general public on-sale.
Calls for Regulating Ticketmaster Fees
Critics have long argued that Ticketmaster’s fees are excessive and detrimental to consumers. Some have called for regulating and limiting the fees Ticketmaster can charge. For example:
- Some U.S. states have enacted laws capping ticket servicing fees at 10% – 15% of the ticket face value.
- In Canada, ticket fees are capped at 25% of the ticket’s face value under the country’s Ticket Sales Act.
- The BOSS Act was proposed (but not passed) in the U.S. Congress to require “all-in” ticket pricing including fees upfront.
- Some advocacy groups like Fan Freedom push for fee transparency and fair ticket pricing regulations.
However, Ticketmaster defends its fees as a fair price for the services provided, technology investments made, and value delivered to fans and event partners. The company argues against price controls which it says would stifle innovation and hamper development of critical ticketing infrastructure.
The Future of Ticketmaster Fees
Looking ahead, Ticketmaster fees are unlikely to decrease significantly on a broad basis unless forced to by regulation. As a near-monopoly player in ticketing, Ticketmaster has little incentive to voluntarily reduce its major revenue source in fees. If anything, growing touring demand coming out of the pandemic may allow Ticketmaster to lean on higher fees in the short-term.
That said, we may see some shifts around fee amounts between different channels. For example, Ticketmaster could potentially increase fees for phone/box office purchases to continue incentivizing customers towards online buying. Discounts or fee waiver promotions may also continue during lower-demand periods to stimulate ticket sales activity.
It’s also possible that upstart competitors like SeatGeek or AXS may gain some share by offering lower fees on select events, although they are still far smaller players than Ticketmaster currently.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster fees vary substantially based on the event, ticket value, sales channel and other factors. Customers can expect to pay 10% to 25% of the ticket price in Ticketmaster service fees alone. Add on order processing fees, delivery charges, and facility fees, and the total servicing fees for high-demand events often reach 30%+ of the base ticket price.
While fans and some regulators argue these fees are excessive, Ticketmaster maintains they are justified costs for providing ticketing services. Given Ticketmaster’s dominant market position, major reductions in their fee model are unlikely without changes to the broader regulatory landscape.
That said, consumers still have some ability to minimize fees through strategies like choosing cheaper ticket types, buying early in pre-sales, and using electronic delivery. While Ticketmaster fees are far from loved by fans, they appear poised to remain a reality of the live event ticketing landscape for the foreseeable future.