After COVID, the need for event tickets has grown a lot. It’s hard to get the best seats now. The question is, should you choose Ticket Center or Ticketmaster? The answer might surprise you.
Recently, the government looked into Ticketmaster’s big role in the ticket market. People are now looking for cheaper and clearer options. But is the box office still the top choice, or are online sites better? Let’s look at the facts and find out.
Current State of Online Ticket Sales Market
The online ticket sales industry has seen tough times lately. Revenue has dropped by 3.3% each year for the last five years. It now stands at about $12.7 billion in 2024. But, the market is expected to grow as digital ticketing becomes more popular and live events gain back their appeal.
Post-COVID Impact on Ticket Prices
The pandemic has greatly affected the live entertainment world. Ticket prices have gone up because more people want to go to events. The Wall Street Journal calls 2023 the year of the $1,000 concert ticket, showing how prices have skyrocketed.
Market Share Distribution
In the U.S., the online event ticket sales market is mostly controlled by a few big players. Live Nation Entertainment and its arm Ticketmaster hold over 70% of the market. This has raised concerns from regulators and consumers.
Digital Ticketing Trends
Mobile technology has changed the ticket sales world for the better. Digital ticketing is becoming more common. It includes features like dynamic pricing and mobile tickets to make buying tickets easier and more convenient. The global digital ticketing market is set to grow by 7.6% from 2023 to 2033. The U.S. market is expected to reach $18.7 billion by 2033.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Global Digital Ticketing Market Size (2023) | $25.9 Billion |
| Projected Global Digital Ticketing Market Size (2033) | $53.7 Billion |
| Global Digital Ticketing Market CAGR (2023-2033) | 7.6% |
| U.S. Digital Ticketing Market CAGR (2023-2033) | 5.2% |
| U.S. Digital Ticketing Market Size (2033) | $18.7 Billion |
Ticket Center Vs Ticketmaster: Platform Comparison
Two big names in online ticketing are Ticket Center and Ticketmaster. Both offer a wide variety of event tickets. Yet, they have some key differences worth looking into.
Ticketmaster gets a 1.6 out of 5 stars from 24,642 reviews. Ticket Center scores a 1.2 out of 5 with 440 reviews. Ticketmaster ranks 62nd in the Tickets category, while Ticket Center is 110th.
Ticketmaster is better at solving customer problems, fixing 200 issues. Ticket Center has only resolved 2.
| Feature | Ticket Center | Ticketmaster |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service | Lower ratings | Higher ratings |
| Exchange/Refund Policy | Less flexible | More flexible |
| Website Usability | Lower ratings | Higher ratings |
| Price Affordability | Lower ratings | Higher ratings |
Based on the data, Ticketmaster seems to offer a smoother and more reliable ticket-buying experience. Still, it’s important to think about what you need when picking between ticket center vs ticketmaster for your event tickets.
Pricing Structures and Hidden Fees
The live entertainment world is mostly run by Ticketmaster. This company controls ticket prices and fees. Ticketmaster changes ticket prices based on how many are sold and how much people want them. This has led to very high prices for some events, like Bruce Springsteen concerts, where tickets can cost up to $5,000.
Ticketmaster also has a big impact on the market. It has deals with many venues and is a big player in ticketing. This lets it add a lot of extra fees to ticket prices. Sometimes, these fees can be as much as 75% of the ticket cost.
Service Charge Analysis
Ticketmaster’s service charges are about 30% of the ticket price. But, the company only makes 5-7% from each sale. The rest goes to the venue or event organizer. This shows how complex ticket pricing can be.
Processing Fee Differences
While Ticketmaster charges a lot, other companies do too. For example, AXS.com can charge up to 36% in service fees. The different fees from different companies can confuse and upset buyers.
Total Cost Breakdown
- Ticket price: The base cost of the ticket set by the artist, team, or event organizer.
- Service charges: Additional fees imposed by the ticketing platform, typically around 30% of the ticket price.
- Order processing fees: Charges for handling the ticket purchase transaction.
- Delivery fees: Costs associated with sending the physical or digital ticket to the buyer.
The fees add up, making tickets more expensive. It’s hard for people to plan their budgets for events because of these extra costs.
Customer Service and Support Quality
When buying tickets for events, good customer service is key. Ticket Center stands out here, beating Ticketmaster in this area.
A recent survey showed Ticket Center got a perfect 100 for customer service. Ticketmaster scored 74. This big gap shows Ticket Center’s dedication to helping its customers.
- Ticket Center’s customers often talk about how quick and helpful the support team is. They help with refunds, ticket delivery, and more.
- On the other hand, Ticketmaster has had many complaints. People struggle with the website or app, which can be tough to use with VPNs or certain browsers.
- Also, Ticketmaster’s strict security to stop bots can sometimes block real customers. This makes it hard for them to buy tickets.
Good ticket support and customer service quality are crucial in the online ticket market. Companies that focus on these areas build strong customer loyalty and stay ahead of the competition.
Platform Security and Ticket Authenticity
In the world of event ticketing, ticket authenticity and secure ticketing are key. Ticketmaster leads the way with strong anti-fraud measures. These measures protect both event organizers and attendees.
Ticketmaster’s mobile tickets have unique barcodes that change every 15 seconds. This makes it hard for scammers to copy or sell tickets. The platform also uses holograms, watermarks, and special barcodes on physical tickets to ensure they are real.
Anti-Fraud Measures
The Better Online Ticket Sales Act was created to fight ticket bots and scalping. It can fine violators up to $16,000. But, enforcing these laws is still a big challenge.
Ticketmaster watches the resale market for fake listings. They tell fans to be careful when buying from unknown sellers on social media or unofficial sites. Buying from these places can lead to scams and fake tickets.
Secure Payment Systems
Ticketmaster’s payment systems focus on security. All transactions go through safe channels. The platform never asks for payment via gift cards or unusual methods, which scammers often use.
Verification Methods
- Visual inspection of tickets for security features like holograms and watermarks
- Online verification tools, such as Ticketmaster’s “Verified Tickets” program, to confirm the validity of concert tickets
- Direct contact with the ticket issuer to inquire about the authenticity of a ticket in question
Ticketmaster puts a big focus on ticket authenticity and secure ticketing. They aim to give event-goers a safe and reliable experience. They also protect the live entertainment industry from fraud.
Venue Partnerships and Ticket Availability
Ticketmaster has strong ties with major venues through exclusive deals. This gives them a big share of tickets. Other platforms can’t match this, making Ticketmaster a big player in the market.
With little competition, Ticketmaster’s Resale marketplace can charge high prices. This is because there are few other places for fans to buy tickets. Ticketmaster is the only choice for places like Bridgestone Arena.
This partnership model makes buying tickets easy for fans. But it also means less choice and less clear information. Fans might find themselves dealing with different ticketing systems, which can be confusing.
Common Doubts
What are the key differences between Ticket Center and Ticketmaster?
Ticket Center and Ticketmaster are big names in online ticketing. Ticketmaster leads the market, controlling over 70%. Ticket Center, though smaller, has a lower customer satisfaction score. The main differences are in pricing, customer service, and security.
How has the post-COVID era impacted ticket prices and availability?
After COVID, ticket prices and demand for live events have gone up. This makes it tough to get tickets, with some events costing over $1,000. Live event leaders have seen a big increase in sales and attendance.
How do the major online ticketing platforms compare in terms of pricing and fees?
Platforms like Ticketmaster, StubHub, and Vivid Seats have different prices and fees. For a baseball game, Ticketmaster’s fees can be up to 75% of the ticket price. But TickPick is known for clear pricing.
What are the key differences in customer service and support between Ticket Center and Ticketmaster?
Ticket Center gets better customer service ratings than Ticketmaster. Yet, both have issues with refunds and communication. Ticketmaster’s security efforts can sometimes block access for some users.
How do Ticket Center and Ticketmaster compare in terms of platform security and ticket authenticity?
Ticketmaster is seen as very secure, fighting against bots and ensuring real tickets. It uses secure payments and checks. But, laws against bots and scalping are weak, causing high prices.
What factors contribute to Ticketmaster’s dominant position in the ticketing market?
Ticketmaster’s strong ties with big venues give it a big share of tickets. This limits others’ chances. Its dominance is due to less competition, keeping it at the top.
