With the football season underway, attending a game can be an exciting experience. However, plans change and you may need to resell your tickets. Reselling football tickets provides an opportunity to make back some money on an unused ticket while providing fans an easier way to attend sold-out games.
Reselling tickets online has become very popular in recent years. Sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats provide a platform for fans to buy and sell both regular season and postseason game tickets. While reselling football tickets may seem daunting as a first-timer, following some key steps can help you navigate the resale market.
Check the Rules on Ticket Resale
Before listing your football tickets for resale, check the fine print on the back of the ticket or look up your team’s policy. Many teams have specific rules against reselling tickets above face value or using unauthorized sites. Violating team policy could result in revoked ticket privileges in the future.
The NFL prohibits ticket resale above face value on the official Ticket Exchange marketplace. However, sites like StubHub operate as secondary markets where ticket prices freely fluctuate based on supply and demand. As long as you avoid team-sponsored exchanges, you can generally set your own ticket price.
Select an Online Marketplace
The largest online ticket marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats see millions of visitors per month and offer high visibility for your listing. Here are some of the top options:
| Marketplace | Transaction Fees | Other Features |
|---|---|---|
| StubHub | 10-15% seller fee | Largest selection, mobile ticket delivery |
| Vivid Seats | 10-20% seller fee | Typically higher sale prices, buyer guarantees |
| SeatGeek | 15% seller fee | Integrated maps to preview seat locations |
| Gametime | 15% seller fee | Last-minute listings, mobile delivery in minutes |
Smaller exchange platforms like Gametime focus on last-minute listings for sold out games. Pick a site that aligns with when and how you want to sell your tickets.
Set a Competitive Price
Football ticket prices vary greatly depending on the two teams, where the game is being held, and what point in the season it takes place. Marquee matchups like rivalries or playoff games command the highest demand. Similarly, once a team clinches a playoff spot, expect those last few regular season games to see prices drop off.
On marketplace sites, you can filter ticket listings for the same game to get a sense of current market value. If comparable tickets are priced below your intended price, you may need to lower expectations to actually make a sale. Consider these factors when pricing:
- Face value listed on ticket
- Team records and playoff standings
- Rivalry game or conference matchup
- Where the seats are located in the stadium
- Timing in the season
Sites like Vivid Seats incorporate algorithmic pricing to recommend sale prices based on supply and demand. You can start with their suggestion and adjust up or down. Remember, it’s usually better to underprice and sell fast rather than gradually dropping your price.
Write an Appealing Listing Description
Your marketplace listing needs to convince other fans to purchase your tickets over the other options available. Share important details like:
- Seat location – section, row, and seat numbers
- Any unique perks like VIP parking or amenities passes
- Verification that tickets are valid and in-hand
- Why you cannot attend the game yourself
Use descriptive language to pitch the game-day experience the buyer can expect. Mention notable details like rivalries, star players, playoff implications, giveaways, or halftime shows that make the tickets appealing.
Add photos of the printed or mobile tickets to provide visual proof. Clearly disclose any ticket delivery options like instant download, mail, or pick-up. Respond promptly to any questions or offers to ensure buyers feel comfortable purchasing from you.
Select Secure Payment and Delivery
Never accept cash, checks, or money transfers for ticket resales as you lose buyer protection. Only use trusted marketplace payment processing. Options include:
- Online payment processing – Electronic payments held in escrow until event completion.
- PayPal – Goods payments allow claims within 180 days if issues arise.
- Apple Pay/Google Pay – Convenient mobile wallet linked to credit card.
For ticket delivery, digital/mobile transfer is most secure as it prevents duplication of copies. If mailing hard tickets, only use tracked shipping like UPS or FedEx with signature confirmation. Meet in-person for a ticket hand-off in a safe, public place.
Price Drop as the Event Approaches
Unless you have in-demand tickets to a sold out game, you will likely need to lower your price as game day gets closer. Last-minute buyers expect a deal on tickets, knowing demand has faded. An unsold ticket represents a complete loss, so some money back is better than nothing.
Savvy sellers build in room to gradually reduce the price over the final two weeks leading up to the event. You can also leverage last-minute marketplace promotions offering reduced seller fees to improve your profit margin at the discounted price points.
Conclusion
Reselling football tickets provides fans an accessible option to attend in-demand games while allowing season ticket holders to recover costs on unused tickets. While the convenience of online resale marketplaces continues to grow in popularity, you need to take the right precautions when selling tickets to avoid problems.
Following best practices like checking team resale policies, writing effective listings, pricing competitively, and using secure payments will help you safely navigate the online ticket resale process. Approach reselling thoughtfully, and you can turn an unused ticket into cash while making another fan’s day.