Seller resources
How to sell tickets (beginner's guide)
Selling tickets for the first time can feel intimidating — there are a lot of marketplaces, rules, and fees. This guide walks through the basics so you can list with confidence.
This is general educational information only, not legal or financial advice. Always review the terms and fee disclosures on whichever marketplace you choose.
Step-by-step: from tickets in your account to money in your bank
1. Confirm that your tickets can be resold
Before you do anything else, check the original terms. Some events restrict resale entirely or only allow resale through specific platforms. Look for notes like “non-transferable,” “no resale,” or instructions about official fan-to-fan exchanges.
2. Choose where you want to sell
Major marketplaces each have their own fee structure, buyer audience, and rules. It’s worth comparing a few options instead of defaulting to the first one you think of.
3. Decide on a realistic list price
Look at current listings for similar seats, the event date, and how hot demand is. Pricing slightly below comparable listings can sometimes help tickets move faster, especially as the event gets closer.
4. Understand your take-home payout
Marketplace seller fees come out of your side. A $200 list price with a 15% seller fee means you’ll only receive $170 (before taxes). Running a quick calculation helps you avoid surprises.
5. List, deliver, and follow through
Once you list, respond promptly to any issues from the marketplace, deliver tickets exactly as instructed, and keep records until after the event and payout clear.
Common mistakes first-time sellers make
Learning from other sellers' mistakes can save you money and stress. Watch out for:
- Waiting until the last possible day to list, which can crush demand and force extreme discounting.
- Ignoring seller fees and assuming you’ll receive the full list price.
- Listing on a site that doesn’t actually allow resale for your specific tickets.
- Not reading payout timelines or requirements (e.g., needing bank details or tax information set up).
- Transferring tickets outside the platform in ways the marketplace doesn’t support, which can void guarantees.
Why you should think about fees before you list
It's easy to focus on the list price and forget that seller fees come off the top. On some platforms, average fees and charges can be a significant percentage of the ticket price.
A quick rule of thumb: if you know your tickets will probably sell for a certain range, plug that into a calculator before you commit. Seeing your estimated take-home payout can help you choose a marketplace and price that make sense.
Try the ticket resale payout calculator to compare payouts across marketplaces based on your expected sale price and assumed fee percentages.
Next steps: best place to sell tickets · ticket seller fee comparison
How to sell tickets FAQ
Is it legal to resell my tickets?
Laws and rules vary by country, state, and even city, and some events or venues place their own restrictions on resale. Always check local regulations and the original terms of your tickets. Many events explicitly allow fan-to-fan resale through approved marketplaces, while others limit or forbid it. When in doubt, look for guidance from the original ticket provider.
When is the best time to list my tickets?
There's no single perfect time, but waiting until the last minute usually works against you. For many events, listing as soon as you know you can't go gives buyers more time to find your seats. Demand often spikes near on-sale and again closer to the event, so adjust your price as you watch the market.
How should I price my tickets?
Start by looking at comparable listings for similar sections and rows on the same date. If you need to sell quickly, consider pricing slightly below the most similar competing listing. Then use the ticket resale payout calculator to make sure your expected payout still feels fair after seller fees.