Ticketmaster Fees Explained

The short answer

The price you pay on Ticketmaster is usually the ticket's face value plus one or more fees, and sometimes tax. Which fees apply, and how much they are, depends on the event, the venue and your order.

The number that matters is the all-in total: the full price including every mandatory fee. Compare totals, not base prices, and check the order summary on Ticketmaster before you pay.

What the face value is

The face value is the base price of the ticket itself, set for the event by the people putting it on, such as the artist, team, venue or promoter. It does not include fees or taxes.

On resale listings, the price is set by the fan selling the ticket and can be above or below the original face value.

The service fee

The service fee is usually charged per ticket and covers the cost of selling the ticket through Ticketmaster. It is one of the main reasons the total is higher than the face value.

Service fees are not one fixed amount. They can differ from event to event and between ticket types for the same event.

The facility fee

A facility fee is set by the venue, not by Ticketmaster, and is generally used by the venue for upkeep and improvements. Not every venue charges one, and the amount depends on the venue.

Order or processing fees

Some orders include a fee charged once per order rather than per ticket, often shown as an order or processing fee. Whether it applies depends on the event and how you buy.

Delivery fees

Mobile tickets in the Ticketmaster app are common for many events. Other delivery methods, where offered, may carry their own delivery charge. Check the delivery options shown at checkout before you choose one.

Taxes

Depending on where the event takes place, sales or other taxes may be added to the ticket price, the fees or both. Tax rules depend on the location, so check the tax line in the order summary.

All-in pricing: compare totals, not base prices

In the US, ticket sellers must now show the total price, including mandatory fees, up front rather than adding them only at the last step. Some taxes or optional extras may still be shown separately.

This makes comparing easier: look at the all-in total per ticket on each site. A lower base price with higher fees can end up costing more than a higher base price with lower fees.

Why fees differ by event

Two tickets with a similar face value can carry very different fees. Common reasons include:

• The venue: facility fees and some other charges are set by the venue.
• The promoter and the event's agreement with Ticketmaster, which can affect the fees for that event.
• Primary vs resale: tickets sold for the first time and tickets resold by fans can carry different fees.
• Your order: delivery method, the number of tickets and any per-order fee all change the total.

Dynamic and 'Platinum' pricing vs fees

Dynamic pricing and Ticketmaster's 'Platinum' seats change the ticket price itself based on demand. They are not fees. Fees are added on top of whatever the ticket price is at the time you buy.

So a higher total can come from a higher ticket price, higher fees, or both. The order summary shows which is which.

How to see the full total before paying

Before you pay, Ticketmaster's checkout shows an order summary with the ticket price, fees, any taxes and the total. Read it line by line, and only continue if the total matches your budget.

If you are comparing sites, write down the all-in total from each checkout for the same section and number of tickets.

Fees when you resell or transfer

If you resell eligible tickets through Ticketmaster's official resale, a seller fee may be taken from your payout, and the buyer pays their own fees. The terms are shown when you list the tickets.

Sending tickets to a friend with Ticketmaster's Transfer feature is a separate process from reselling. See our guide on how to transfer Ticketmaster tickets for the steps.

Refunds of fees when an event is cancelled

If an event is cancelled, refunds are handled by the seller you bought from under its policy, and that policy decides whether fees are refunded along with the ticket price. Postponed or rescheduled events can follow different rules.

Our guide on what happens when an event is cancelled or postponed explains the differences.

Where TicketsGarage fits in

TicketsGarage is not the seller and does not add fees. We help you discover events and link to partner checkout pages, where the purchase happens and the final price is shown.

Frequently asked questions