Is Ticket Reselling Legal?

Have you ever found yourself holding an extra ticket to that sold-out concert or sports event and wondered ‘Is Ticket Reselling Legal?’. Or perhaps you’ve been on the other side, desperate to attend an event but the tickets are sold out and your only option is to buy from a reseller.

I’ve had this issue myself. I purchased my wife 2 Taylor Swift tickets for Anfield in June 2024, but I faced the issue that they were in so much demand, I could sell them and go on holiday for a week!

The legality of ticket reselling, also known as ticket touting or scalping, varies greatly from place to place. In the UK, it’s not illegal providing you don’t use software. But everyone hates it, to the point where ID checks are being put in place at events, to stop people selling them.

It’s a hot topic with strong opinions on both sides. Some view it as a way to make a profit or recoup money on tickets they can’t use, while others see it as unfair and exploitative.

In this article, we’ll delve into the complex world of ticket reselling, exploring the legalities and ethical debates that surround it. We’ll break down the laws in different countries and regions, so you can understand where and when ticket reselling is allowed, and when it’s not.

Is Ticket Reselling Legal?

Delving into the lawfulness of ticket reselling, it’s important to acknowledge that ticket reselling is generally legal. Around the globe, people are venturing into this business, making a fortune out of it while others have a genuine outlet for re-couping their money if they are unable to attend an event.

However, you need to understand that since regulations vary from one location to another, you’ll find places where it’s completely legal, while in others, it’s partially legal or not at all. In some cases, the legality could be wholly dependent on the clauses set by the event holder itself.

Renowned platforms like Viagogo and Stubhub are leading in this sector. These sites cater to the needs of those wishing to resell event tickets. It’s feasible to say, they’ve carved a market for ticket reselling, making it even easier and safer for everyone involved.

You might be wondering about the specifics of where ticket reselling stands in the sight of the law. For some places, there are no restrictions – it’s all fair game. Other regions, however, come with their unique set of rules.

For instance, some states in the United States have minimal regulations, with transactions allowed at face value or above. Yet, there are regions like the United Kingdom, where regulations are tighter. Here, it’s illegal to resell football match tickets unless the reseller is authorised.

Knowledge is your power in the world of ticket reselling. With a good understanding of the laws and regulations in your area, you’re set to make informed decisions whether you’re looking to buy or sell. Don’t forget, while it’s usually legal, unauthorised reselling for certain events can cross into the realm of illegality. Always be sure to check on the specific laws and rules in your location before delving into ticket reselling.

One thing that we are monitoring, is how the Side Hustle Tax that HMRC have introduced will affect ticket sellers. Viagogo doesn’t require any Sales Tax ID documentation from sellers, until they have crossed a specific threshold of which as of 2024 was 100 sold tickets.

Why is Ticket Reselling Legal?

There are genuine cases where ticket reselling is ethical. For example, this gives genuine fans of events the chance to sell their tickets, if they are unable to attend a specific event.

Instead of them losing their money, they can give another fan the chance to attend. Ticketmaster have a Fan Resale section, which limits the owners of the ticket to sell the price for Retail Price, and many others like AXS are following suit.

It is getting harder to transfer tickets, event providers are also getting stricter with ID checks and to top it off, the labour government want to completely restrict it. So although it’s legal and I can’t see any changes to reselling tickets for retail value, there could well be changes for Ticket scalpers.

Is Ticket Reselling Profitable?

What’s next on the ticket reselling journey? Let’s dive into its profitability. Yes, you’ve figured out that ticket reselling laws vary from place to place – a very good start. But no point in knowing if it’s legal to resell tickets if you’re not making any money from it, right?

So, is ticket reselling profitable? Although I don’t like answers such as It Depends… It depends!

Profitability depends on various factors. The event’s popularity, the scarcity of tickets, the location, the timing and even your skills in negotiating prices can all affect profitability. Everyone’s heard about those lucky few who’ve made astronomical profits from reselling tickets to hot events. But remember, these instances can be rare and should not be considered the norm.

Let’s look at some facts and figures, shall we?

Popular events like big concerts or final match of a sports tournament typically have higher ticket demand.

The less tickets available, the higher their potential resale value. Location can also influence ticket prices. Premium events in big cities often command higher prices. The closer it is to the event, the more willing people might be to pay a premium for tickets. The flip side being, that you may not sell them at all.

Platforms like Viagogo and Stubhub can make this process easier by providing a marketplace for exchange. They handle secure payments, provide delivery mechanisms and offer buyer protection. Sounds good, doesn’t it? However, these sites also take a commission on your sales, so factor that into calculations when determining your potential profits.

In conclusion. Sorry, scratch that, we agreed on no conclusions. But if you were looking for one, it’d likely be that ticket reselling can be profitable, but it’s not a guaranteed quick-bucks scheme and it comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. Figuring out if it’s worth it for you, that’s your call.

So, what’s next?

The Most Profitable Tickets

When it comes to ticket reselling, not all tickets are created equal. Some tickets will just rake in more profits than others depending on various parameters. For example, tickets for a Taylor Swift concert could fetch a considerable markup because of her global fan base, the limited nature of her tour dates, and the high demand.

Ticket Sellers are essentially capitalising from the fact that artists like Taylor Swift rarely tour, which causes the events to rise in popularity, and with that comes an increase in price.

Additionally, events taking place at select venues or cities may command higher resale values due to the prestige or popularity of the location.

Profitability in ticket reselling hinges on the way you play the game. Successful ticket brokers typically possess a keen eye for the hottest events and the foresight to purchase their tickets before they sell out. More often than not, they capitalise on the buzz and excitement surrounding these events and sell the tickets at a marked-up price when demand peaks.

Consider investing in software tools for ticket reselling that could make the process smoother and easier. Platforms like StubHub or Viagogo don’t just facilitate the buying and selling of tickets; they help you gauge the market, understand the demand trends, and make informed decisions. However, bear in mind that these platforms take a percentage on sales, which you’ll need to factor into your pricing strategy.

Don’t forget to polish your negotiation skills as well, which are crucial in ensuring a profitable resale. The art of negotiation could mean the difference between selling your ticket at a break-even price and maximising your profit margin. It’s all about reading the market, understanding your buyer’s psychology, and setting reasonable yet profitable prices.

Finally, remember that, as tempting as it can seem, reselling tickets is not a guaranteed get-rich-quick scheme. It’s an endeavour that requires time, effort, and savvy. Understand your risks before diving in, and always stay on top of the legal landscape of selling tickets in your area to avoid any potential pitfalls or legal issues.

Benefits of Ticket Reselling Software

It’s worth pointing out that if you’re asking “Is Ticket Reselling Legal”, if you manually get in line and purchase your tickets then yes, it’s completely legal.

However, there is a legislation in place to stop people using software, such as queue skips, auto-carting and other methods to give yourself an unfair advantage. I do not use any form of Ticket Bot Software, and do not endorse this. The Government have advised there will be an ‘Unlimited Fine’ for anyone that is caught. Although I do have to say, I’m not sure how someone can get caught, unless the websites like Ticketmaster come up with some solution.

Yes we have Ticket Reselling Software, but this doesn’t help you purchase tickets. This is completely legal, and inclusive in your memberships. It’s a monitoring tool to help you track events that you have purchased.

Potential Issues with Ticket Reselling

Ticket Reselling comes with considerable risks. Yes, for some events you can almost guarantee the demand, let’s think back to Taylor Swift, or Paul McCartney who have exceptional demand.

However, for every Taylor Swift, you get a Nicki Minaj, or Kylie Minogue. These are events which are a bit of an unknown… they could perform or there could be no demand at all.

I’ve even bought F1 tickets before, Australian GP, expecting them to perform well. However, they didn’t and although I managed to sell them back for retail, I had to pay a percentage in fees so I ended up with a small loss. So that was 5 months of money being held up, with no return on investment.

I was lucky that I was able to resell them for retail. There are some events which don’t have any demand, and also some events where the artist doesn’t actually allow for resale, or transfer of the tickets. Ed Sheeran is one of these.

It helps to have a great understanding of the ticket sales market. Fortunately, there are quite a few groups now which have staff members with the sole aim of market research. So they can help you to make some good decisions, if you choose to sign up to a service.