Do you ever feel like it's impossible to get the tickets you want to the sporting event of your dreams - no matter how hard you try?
Online sports ticket sites have made the process both easier and harder than it used to be. There are a lot more venues from which to purchase event tickets, but that means that it's difficult to narrow down the most affordable option.
Ticketing sites shouldn't be a hassle to use, and they shouldn't feel like a scam. We've taken a look at some of the best to show you which are worth your money.
Top 5: Sports Ticket Sites Review
Product Image & Rating (Out Of 10) | Product Name | Contact |
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When it comes to tickets for any kind of venue or event, StubHub is always one of the top providers. Rather than specializing in sports alone, the platform also provides tickets for concerts, events, theater, and comedy.
One of the things that makes it an ideal sports ticketing site is the amount of versatility. Not only are tickets available for leagues including the NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB, and NCAA, but you can also seek events for any of the following sports:
The online website and mobile app both have an easy search tool that will let you find sporting events in your area during certain dates. You can also search for specific events and teams if there's a particular show you want to support.
When you've narrowed your options, ticket filtering is also simple. You can sort the tickets based on venue location, value, or price. The system lets you know exactly how many tickets a seller has left, so you don't have to wonder whether you'll miss out if you pause to consider.
A lot of the listings also include a photo of the seat location so you know what the view will be like at the event.
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TicketNetwork is another sports ticketing site that provides ticketing for a variety of different venues and events. Sporting events are some of the company's top sellers. When you go to the website, you can search events by the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB leagues. Under the "More Sports" tab, you can look at events for:
If you tab into any of the larger leagues, you can search for specific events by team. It's an easy way to find out where and when your favorite sports teams are playing closest to you.
It's also easy to search for specific events, venues, and locations if you have a more specific idea of what you're looking for. The ticket listings tend to be competitively priced, and you can compare multiple options with a lot of available information.
One note is that you will often end up paying more than the base ticket price. That's because you have to factor in the service and delivery fees. Service fees are charged on a per-order basis, while delivery fees can vary depending on the size of the order and shipping location.
This can drive up the prices pretty quickly, which can be frustrating.
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TickPick is an event ticketing site with one of the most pleasant website interfaces in the industry. The layout is streamlined and responsive, allowing you to browse easily on mobile and desktop. When you visit the homepage, you can do a quick search by venue, event, team, or artist.
Upon scrolling down, the website will tell you about upcoming sporting events near you based on your location. You can also browse tickets by sports league categories including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.
The "Other" tab combines all other entertainment including music, theater, and sports. Sporting event categories are:
But aside from the convenience and ease of use, one of the largest selling points is that this service doesn't add any fees. This means that you can expect to pay exactly the price tag you see on the listing. You don't have to do any mental math or weather any nasty surprises at the checkout.
The company gives each ticket a "Deal Score." By using an algorithm to analyze the demand, venue location, and comparable market prices, the website lets you know how much the ticket is actually worth in comparison to what the seller is asking. This lets you know whether you're actually getting a deal.
A final unique feature is the bidding system. If you don't want to pay a flat ticket price, you can name your own price and see whether any sellers will accept it. This tool can be hit-or-miss, and it helps to look up some tips to take advantage before you try it out.
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Select A Ticket doesn't actually specialize in sporting events. Instead, the company's business model is based mainly around providing Broadway ticket options. But there are still tickets sold for concerts and sporting events throughout the country.
The company has been operating since the late 1970s and is a founding member of several ticket broker associations. These organizations set the standards for ticket broker quality and integrity in the United States. If you live in the Tri-State area, you can visit the company's one retail store to pick up or purchase tickets.
When you use the website, one option is to look for discounted sporting events in your area. Sorting by discounted tickets is a great way to find deals if you're looking for something non-specific to do. You can also look for tickets by league, team, or venue.
Each ticket price on the website includes any additional fees, so you pay exactly what you see. There are also last-minute availability seats for a number of events.
Because tickets are mostly offered through resellers, the prices might be higher than if you were purchasing from the original vendor.
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Rather than working with the original vendors for sporting events, ScoreBig is specifically created as a reseller marketplace. If you need a place to sell tickets, this is a good area to set up shop. Because the prices are based on reselling, you will often pay more than if you purchased through the original vendor.
Sporting leagues include NCAA football and basketball, NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB. You can also find tickets for sporting events including:
One massive advantage of this marketplace is that you can sometimes find exclusive deals on tickets that are no longer available in the box office. When narrowing down your ticket choices, you can select what area of the venue you want to be seated in.
Though there won't typically be refunds or exchanges if you change your mind about an event, you are guaranteed a full refund should the event be cancelled due to third party circumstances.
It's also easy to plan casual days out by looking at the sporting events in your area for any given month. In addition, the site has a "road trip" option that lets you look at events in multiple cities on different dates when planning a vacation.
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Top Pick
All of these ticketing sites offer other event tickets in addition to sporting events.
Overall, our top choice is StubHub. Because the company hosts both reseller tickets and partners with vendors, you end up with the lowest prices and the widest selection. You can buy sold-out options from resellers without having the base price of unsold vendor tickets inflated.
If you're looking for a transparent company that doesn't add any unexpected fees to its base ticket prices, you should look at TickPick. What you see is always what you get. Select A Ticket is ideal for those who want a service with decades of experience, a brick-and-mortar store, and multiple association memberships.
If you're planning a vacation or trip, the special scheduling and planning features in ScoreBig are really helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Sports Ticket Sites Cheaper Than the Box Office?
It really depends from case to case. Sometimes when an event gets closer, resellers lower their prices to get rid of whatever merchandise they haven't sold. But resellers do aim to make a profit, which means they'll try to sell for higher than the box office price.
Some ticketing sites like StubHub will partner directly with vendors. That means you can purchase at box office prices but still access the service's discounts.
What Fees Do Sports Ticket Sites Charge?
It depends on the service. Some charge a general service fee per ticket or order, and they may also have a delivery fee for getting the tickets to you. Some charge additional convenience fees for tickets bought at the last minute or events with high demand.
Certain ticketing sites, like TickPick and Select A Ticket, factor any fees into their base ticket prices. This means there aren't any additional costs at checkout.
