Top 10 Best Online Ticket Brokers
Buying tickets online can feel less like planning a fun night out and more like trying to dodge a trapdoor at checkout. You spot seats that seem decent, you start to relax, and then the total jumps after service fees, delivery charges, and other add-ons decide to join the party. That alone is enough to make you stare at your screen like it personally offended you.
That is exactly why this list matters. When you are choosing an online ticket broker, you are not just picking a place to click "buy." You are trusting a platform to show you real inventory, explain costs clearly, deliver tickets on time, and step in if something goes sideways. Many major ticket marketplaces also back purchases with buyer protections tied to ticket validity and timely delivery, which can make a bad surprise a lot less likely.
You are also not stuck with one kind of option. Some brokers shine when you want broad resale inventory for sold-out events. Others stand out for pricing tools, rewards, or smoother customer support. The point of this list is to help you sort through the noise and figure out which names actually make buying tickets easier, not more expensive, confusing, or stressful than it needs to be.
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Ticket Lodge
Ticket Lodge offers a robust selection of tickets for sports, concerts, and theater events. They have a user-friendly platform and focus on providing a secure and transparent ticket-buying experience.
Visit WebsiteI had never bought tickets to a concert online before, and I have to say, I was quite surprised by how simple the process was. I needed tickets to a sold-out Justin Bieber concert for my daughter, and they were obviously sold out. I had always thought that ticket brokers were the equivalent of scalpers, so I assumed I would have to pay an arm and a leg. However, The Ticket Lodge had the Justin Bieber tickets I needed, and they turned out to be much cheaper than if I had ordered them from Ticketmaster. I don't know how they make any money, but my daughter was very happy. If you have reservations about ticket brokers, you really need to check these guys out!
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MetroSeats
Have used them several times over the years and always find them to have solid (if not the lowest) prices. Never had any issues with the tickets or delivery. Would recommend them and will use them again.
Ordered some Cincinnati Bengals tickets from them and was very satisfied. Got them for about half of face value and received them in 2 days. Will be using them again.
Visit WebsiteGot me some Chicago Blackhawks tickets for the 2013 Stanley Cup finals! Prices were great, and they were $50 less than StubHub. If you need a discount code, try "GOVIP."
Go Hawks!
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StubHub
StubHub is one of the largest and most well-known ticket marketplaces. They offer a vast selection of tickets across various event categories and have a strong FanProtect guarantee for buyers.
StubHub is a little expensive (charging 15%), but I felt they were absolutely awesome when dealing with issues. I recently had a problem where I accidentally sent only one ticket instead of two, and StubHub sorted it out in under five minutes. When another one of my tickets didn't process payment correctly, the customer service representative literally said, "Okay, it's fixed," and I saw the PayPal payment go through. They are awesome!
Visit WebsiteI have bought lots of tickets through StubHub and never had a single problem. I would definitely buy from them again!
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CheapConcertTickets.me
Got my Pink concert tickets today for the show at Prudential Center. This show sold out almost instantaneously, and when I went to Ticketmaster's "partner site," I found that the ticket prices were ridiculously expensive. CheapConcertTickets.me had tickets for Pink at about 20% less than Ticketmaster's "partner site." I've purchased tickets from this site before and have never had any issues.
Hands down, always the cheapest prices here. Don't even bother shopping for your tickets anywhere else. Their customer service people are very helpful too. One tip: use the Instant Ticket Option and you can save on shipping. You just end up printing your tickets out at home.
I've been buying my tickets here for years.
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Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster is a primary ticket seller for many venues and events. They offer a wide range of tickets and often have access to presales and exclusive offers.
As someone else said, Ticketmaster works alongside the event. Most of the time, while buying tickets on the official site, I am directed to Ticketmaster. Yes, you can find tickets for cheaper, but this is a reliable and trustworthy site where officials actually sell you the tickets. Many other sites involve random people buying the tickets and then selling them to you. I would only resort to these sites in case of an emergency.
I am quite satisfied with Ticketmaster. It is 100% safe, secure, and reliable. I honestly prefer using sites like this if I am not in a rush, especially since many hockey games I attend actually work alongside Ticketmaster. While it is a bit more expensive, I would only use other sites in case I really need sold-out tickets.
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Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats boasts a massive inventory of tickets and a loyalty rewards program. Their platform provides detailed seat views and comparisons to help you find the best options.
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TicketNetwork
TicketNetwork is a large ticket exchange with a broad selection of tickets for various events. They provide a price comparison tool to help you find the best deals.
They have a call center, which is helpful when you need to talk to a human.
Good site for last-minute tickets. Fees are steep.
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Live Nation
Live Nation is a major player in the live entertainment industry, operating as both a promoter and a ticket seller. Through their platform, you'll find tickets to many popular tours and events, often with access to presales and special offers.
Great selection and easy to order. I always use Live Nation. You can also set up monthly emails to see what shows are coming up.
Best service of all ticket purchases.
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Fandango
Primarily known for movie tickets, Fandango serves as a massive online ticketing destination for tens of thousands of screens nationwide. The company has expanded its portfolio to include the on-demand streaming service Fandango at Home and the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. They often have bundled deals and promotions for specific events.
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Ticket Liquidator
Ticket Liquidator offers a wide range of tickets and often has competitive prices. They specialize in finding last-minute tickets for those in a pinch.
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Event Tickets Center
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SeatGeek
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Barry's Tickets
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TicketHub
I don't want to blame other sites. I've tried many websites to buy tickets online. Personally, I feel TicketHub is better than others. It's very simple, easy to search, and fast to open. I think TicketHub.co is different from TicketHub.com. It also depends on the ticket I am looking for, but my first choice is TicketHub.co.
TicketHub is a new website with pretty reasonable prices and a great website.
Great source. No extra service fee.
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Eventbrite
Eventbrite focuses on smaller events, independent shows, conferences, and festivals. They are a great resource for finding unique and local happenings.
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Gametime
Came across this app and found unbelievable last-minute deals on Red Sox tickets. Everything's done on your phone too, so you never have to print anything out. Great experience.
Great app! I get cheap Giants tickets all the time!
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Captain Ticket
This company has been around for over 30 years. They have been in Covina, California since the early '80s. The best thing about them is the guys running the place have been to so many events. You can ask for their opinion on where to sit for a game or a concert and get a valuable idea for what you pay because they actually know what they are talking about.
I also like that they always quote the full price for their tickets. We don't go to as many events as we used to, but if I need tickets, I call Captain Ticket or buy them on their website. It is easy to use. Hope this helps.
You can't go wrong here. Their prices are more than fair, their website is awesome, they are very helpful and full of great advice, and the tickets are delivered fast. What more could you ask for?
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ScoreBig
Great place to buy super inexpensive sports tickets, especially for baseball.
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Ticket.it
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Songkick
Songkick is primarily a concert discovery platform that alerts you to upcoming tour dates for your favorite artists. They also integrate ticket-buying options, making it a convenient way to find and purchase tickets for shows you're interested in.
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From This Seat
Allows fans to read seat reviews before purchasing their tickets to NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB games. Fans can also see the view from their seats, purchase tickets and parking ahead of time, find hotels and sports bars near the stadium, etc.
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Tickets Spectacular
I recently bought last-minute tickets to Billy Joel and was happy with the price and location of the seats.
I chose the location! Also, the service charge was very competitive.
Went to see Billy Joel last week at Madison Square Garden. The place was jam-packed.
I got sold-out tickets! Ordered them the day before and got them right away via an e-ticket. Great seats and price!
I got great tickets to Selena Gomez's sold-out concert at Mohegan Sun last week.
Seats were real close to Selena and at a great price! I received the tickets quickly from FedEx.
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StubZero
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CHARGED.fm
CHARGED.fm combines all three sides of the ticket marketplace in one place. It signs up venues like minor league baseball teams, offers no-fee tickets, and allows you to create and market your own events for free. You can also check out and publish content on the magazine that covers pop culture, sports, and music. It does everything within its power to keep ticket prices as low as possible so that shows are accessible to everyone.
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Fee Free Ticket
I have used them 3 times. I always get the tickets pretty fast, and I really like that all the cost of the tickets is shown before you go to checkout. They also always seem to be a little cheaper than anyone else.
I found these guys when I was looking for Knicks tickets. They had tons of tickets, and the interactive map was very useful for getting decent seats. What was great was the no service fees.
I use them all the time. Great ticket selection and no fees. Tickets are usually delivered very quickly.
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Direct Seats
Excellent service, no hidden charges. Rates are low when compared with other sites.
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Queen of Tickets
Amazing, quick service, and I even got better tickets than what I had paid for. The tickets worked, so I would definitely use them again for any Australian event.
The range is unbelievable, and the tickets work. The price is high, but it is a premium service.
Got my tickets fast. Really good service.
More Info
What are the benefits of using an online ticket broker?
You get speed, flexibility, and access to more inventory than a venue box office can usually offer on its own. If the primary seller is sold out, an online broker can still give you a shot at seats through resale listings. That can be the difference between staying home and actually making it to the show, game, or performance you wanted.
You also get the ability to compare options without bouncing from site to site for an hour like a caffeinated detective. On some platforms, buyer guarantees add another layer of protection by covering things like valid tickets, on-time delivery, or refunds and replacement options if an order cannot be fulfilled as promised.
What should you look for when buying tickets from an online ticket broker?
Start with the full price, not the teaser price. A site can look great right up until the last screen, when the total suddenly grows teeth. You want clear pricing, an easy-to-understand checkout process, and policies that are not written like a dare.
After that, pay attention to buyer protection, customer support, and how the broker handles problems. Strong marketplaces usually spell out what happens if tickets are invalid, late, or unavailable. It also helps to check delivery timing, seating details, and resale rules before you buy, especially for high-demand events.
Are tickets from an online ticket broker more expensive than buying directly from the venue?
Sometimes, yes. Resale prices can land above face value when demand is high, especially for hot concerts, playoff games, or events that sold out fast. Fees can also push the final total higher than expected, which is why the number you first see is not always the number that matters most.
Still, that does not mean a broker is automatically the pricier route every time. Resale prices move around based on demand, timing, and seat location, so you may find competitive deals in some cases. Your smartest move is to compare the final checkout total, not just the headline price.
Can you find hard-to-get tickets through an online ticket broker after an event sells out elsewhere?
Yes, and that is one of the biggest reasons people use them. Online ticket brokers often operate as resale marketplaces, which means fans and professional sellers can list tickets after the initial on-sale ends. That opens the door to seats that are no longer available from the original seller.
Of course, access and affordability are not the same thing. When demand is sky-high, those hard-to-find seats can come with equally dramatic prices. Great for getting in the building. Less great for your wallet.