Ticketmaster alternatives
Quick answer
If Ticketmaster is the primary seller for your event, face-value tickets come from its on-sale or, at some venues, the box office. Once an event sells out, resale alternatives include TixBit, which has no fees for buyers, and TickPick, which skips buyer service fees, plus StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, and Gametime. For AXS-ticketed venues, use AXS. Compare the final total for the same seats.
Why buyers look for Ticketmaster alternatives
Most buyers looking past Ticketmaster want one of three things: tickets after an on-sale sells out, a second quote on resale, or a different fee model. Ticketmaster says its upfront price covers face value and required fees, generally before taxes, and its resale is priced by resellers above or below face value.
Ticketmaster can only sell what an organizer gives it, so the real alternative for a sold-out event is the resale market. Some events use other primary ticketing companies, such as AXS or SeatGeek, and some venues still sell at the box office.
Compare resale with resale. Match the section, row, quantity, and delivery method, and check whether a Ticketmaster listing is Face Value Exchange, which carries no resale fees, before you compare it with another site.
Best Ticketmaster alternatives in 2026
TixBit
TixBit has no fees for buyers and sources resale listings from verified ticket providers. A Ticketmaster-issued ticket bought on TixBit arrives by official transfer when the listing requires it.
- Buyer fees
- No fees for buyers
- Best for
- US buyers who want no buyer fees and verified inventory
AXS Official Resale
AXS sells primary tickets for its own client venues, teams, and promoters. Its Official Resale keeps tickets in the AXS system, and AXS guarantees every Official Resale ticket is valid.
- Buyer fees
- Mandatory fees, including a resale fee, in the total
- Best for
- Events ticketed by AXS
SeatGeek
SeatGeek is the primary ticketing partner for some teams and venues and also sells resale. Its All-In Pricing includes mandatory fees, and Deal Score rates listings from 1 to 10.
- Buyer fees
- Service and marketplace fees, included in price
- Best for
- Deal Score shoppers and partner primary tickets
StubHub
StubHub runs a large open resale marketplace, including many international events. Its displayed price includes mandatory fees, though its buyer fees have no set percentage.
- Buyer fees
- Service and fulfillment fees; no set percentage
- Best for
- Broad US and international resale inventory
TickPick
TickPick skips buyer service fees, so the listed price is close to final apart from local pickup, FedEx shipping, or sales tax where they apply.
- Buyer fees
- No buyer service fees
- Best for
- No buyer service fee plus daily phone support
Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats builds service and delivery charges into each price and rewards repeat buyers with a Reward Credit for every ten tickets.
- Buyer fees
- Service and delivery charges included in price
- Best for
- Wide resale catalog with a rewards program
Gametime
Gametime focuses on last-minute mobile buying, includes fees in its prices, and refunds canceled events automatically to the original payment method.
- Buyer fees
- Fees included in displayed prices
- Best for
- Last-minute mobile buying with a price-match credit
Ticketmaster and its alternatives compared
| Ticket site | Buyer fees | Buyer guarantee | Canceled event | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TixBit | No fees for buyers | TixBit Guarantee on every order | Comparable replacement tickets or a refund of the order total | US buyers who want no buyer fees and verified inventory |
| AXS Official Resale | Mandatory fees, including a resale fee, in the total | Official Resale tickets guaranteed valid | Automatic refund to the purchase card; resale can follow special rules | Events ticketed by AXS |
| SeatGeek | Service and marketplace fees, included in price | Buyer Guarantee | Original-payment refund or, subject to state law, credit | Deal Score shoppers and partner primary tickets |
| StubHub | Service and fulfillment fees; no set percentage | FanProtect Guarantee | Refund or credit at its discretion, unless law requires a refund | Broad US and international resale inventory |
| TickPick | No buyer service fees | BuyerTrust Guarantee | Refund after TickPick confirms the cancellation | No buyer service fee plus daily phone support |
| Vivid Seats | Service and delivery charges included in price | 100% Buyer Guarantee on confirmed orders | Refund less possible restocking fees, or credit | Wide resale catalog with a rewards program |
| Gametime | Fees included in displayed prices | Gametime Guarantee, reviewed case by case | Automatic full refund to the original payment method | Last-minute mobile buying with a price-match credit |
| Ticketmaster Resale | Required fees included in the upfront price | Resale tickets authenticated before sale | Automatic refund; resale follows separate rules | Primary tickets and issuer-native resale |
When Ticketmaster is still the better choice
- You want face-value tickets at an on-sale Ticketmaster runs
- You want resale that stays inside the issuer's own system
- A Face Value Exchange listing is available for your event
Ticketmaster alternatives FAQs
Where else can I buy tickets besides Ticketmaster?
For a sold-out Ticketmaster event, resale marketplaces such as TixBit, StubHub, SeatGeek, TickPick, Vivid Seats, and Gametime are the main options. Some events sell primary tickets through AXS, SeatGeek, or the venue box office instead of Ticketmaster.
Is there a Ticketmaster alternative with no fees?
For resale, yes. TixBit has no fees for buyers, and TickPick says it charges no buyer service fees. For primary tickets, Ticketmaster says its required fees are shared among the parties putting on the event, so they apply to its on-sales.
Is Ticketmaster the cheapest place to buy tickets?
Not always. Ticketmaster sells primary tickets at face value plus required fees, while resale prices are set by sellers and can be higher or lower. After an event sells out, resale prices vary by site and listing, so compare the final total for the same seats.
Are resale tickets from other sites valid at Ticketmaster venues?
Yes, when they are delivered by official transfer. Sites such as TixBit send a Ticketmaster-issued ticket to your Ticketmaster account, where you accept it. Ticketmaster requires the transfer email to match your account email.
Does Ticketmaster charge resale fees?
Yes, on standard Verified Resale. As of October 15, 2026, Ticketmaster says resale service fees fund authentication and operations, and it charges no resale fees on Face Value Exchange tickets, where the artist caps resale at face value.
Sources reviewed
- Ticketmaster: How are ticket prices and fees determined?
- Ticketmaster: What ticket delivery options does Ticketmaster offer?
- AXS: What is AXS Official Resale?
- AXS North America Purchase Agreement
- SeatGeek: What is Deal Score?
- Gametime Guarantee (last updated June 6, 2025)
- Vivid Seats Rewards
- AXS: What fees are there when buying tickets?
- AXS: My event was cancelled. How can I get a refund?
- SeatGeek: Does SeatGeek charge a fee to buy tickets? (All-In Pricing)
- SeatGeek: Can I trust tickets sold on SeatGeek? (Buyer Guarantee)
- StubHub Support: StubHub's fees to buy and sell tickets
- StubHub FanProtect Guarantee
- StubHub Marketplace Global User Agreement
- TickPick: Are there any additional fees?
- TickPick: What is the BuyerTrust Guarantee?
- TickPick: What if my event is canceled?
- TickPick: How do I contact TickPick customer service?
- Vivid Seats: Are there additional fees? How are fees determined?
- Vivid Seats Buyer Guarantee
- Vivid Seats Terms of Use and US Sales Terms (effective July 22, 2026)
- Gametime homepage: No Hidden Fees
- Gametime Terms of Service
- Ticketmaster: What happens if my event is canceled?
- Ticketmaster: Resale ticket options when an event status changes