What are ticket fees?
When you buy a resale ticket on most platforms, the price shown in search results is not the price you pay. Platforms add a “service fee” or “buyer fee” at checkout. This fee covers the platform’s operating costs, fraud protection, customer support, and profit margin.
How much are typical ticket fees?
Fees vary by platform and event:
| Platform | Fee type | Typical buyer fee |
|---|---|---|
| TickPick | None | 0% — listed price is final |
| Gametime | All-in (included) | Varies (baked into listed price) |
| StubHub | Added at checkout | 10–25% |
| Vivid Seats | Added at checkout | 15–25% |
On a $150 ticket, StubHub fees can add $20–35. Vivid Seats fees are similar. TickPick adds nothing.
Why do fees appear only at checkout?
Displaying a lower initial price attracts more clicks. This practice — sometimes called “drip pricing” — has drawn regulatory scrutiny in some markets. Platforms that show all-in prices upfront (Gametime, TickPick) give a more honest shopping experience.
Service fee vs. other fees
Beyond the buyer service fee, you may also see:
- Delivery fee: for physical or mobile ticket delivery (most digital tickets have no delivery fee).
- Order processing fee: sometimes a flat fee on top of the percentage service fee.
- Facility fee: charged by the venue, not the resale platform, and included even in primary-market purchases.
How to minimize fees
- Use TickPick — the only major resale platform with no buyer fees.
- Compare checkout totals — add to cart on each platform to see the all-in price.
- Look for promo codes — StubHub and Vivid Seats regularly offer new-buyer or seasonal discounts.
- Check the team’s official box office — primary market tickets have lower fees, though availability for popular games is limited.
The all-in math
Assume you find a ticket listed at $100 on three platforms:
- TickPick: $100 total
- Gametime: ~$108 total (fees included in listed price)
- StubHub: $118–$125 total (fees added at checkout)
- Vivid Seats: $115–$125 total (fees added at checkout)
The “cheapest” listing by listed price is often the most expensive in total.
Bottom line
Always compare all-in checkout totals, not listed prices. TickPick’s no-fee model is the simplest way to avoid fee surprises, but checking multiple platforms ensures you find the real best deal for any specific event.
