Why Are Ticket Resale Fees So Expensive?
Resale fees range from 0% to 40% depending on the platform. Here is exactly how they work, why they vary so much, and which platforms charge the least.
How resale fees actually work
Most resale platforms charge fees to both the buyer and the seller. That means on a single transaction, the platform takes a cut from both sides. On a £300 ticket, the total platform take can be anywhere from £39 to £129 depending on where you buy.
Buyer fee
Added on top of the listing price. Ranges from 10% to 35% across platforms. This is what inflates the price you actually pay.
Seller fee
Deducted from the seller's payout. Ranges from 0% to 25%. This is why sellers list higher than face value to begin with.
Drip pricing
When fees are hidden until checkout. You see £300 on the listing but pay £390 after taxes and fees are added. The CMA has fined platforms for this practice.
The double-fee model is how legacy platforms generate high margins. A buyer pays 28% on top, a seller pays 15% out of their payout, and the platform keeps both. Newer platforms like TicketHunter charge significantly less by taking a smaller buyer-side fee and charging sellers nothing.
Which sites have the lowest fees?
What a buyer actually pays and what a seller actually keeps on a £300 ticket across 8 platforms.
| Platform | Buyer fee | Seller fee | Drip pricing | Buyer pays (£300 ticket) | Seller keeps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TicketHunterlowest combined | 13% all-in | 0% until 2027 | No | £339 | £300 |
| Twickets | 10-15% | 0% | No | £330-345 | £300 |
| DICE | Face value | N/A | No | £300 | N/A (returns only) |
| Ticketmaster Resale | 25-30% | ~15% | Partial | £375-390 | ~£255 |
| SeatGeek | 22-30% | 10-15% | Varies | £366-390 | ~£255-270 |
| StubHub | ~28% | ~15% | Yes | £384 | ~£255 |
| viagogo | 25-35% | 10-15% | Yes | £375-405 | ~£255-270 |
| Vivid Seats | ~30% | ~10% | Yes | £390 | ~£270 |
Figures are typical published rates as of mid-2026. Actual fees vary by event, country and listing type. DICE is face-value returns only, not traditional resale. See our full comparison for detailed breakdowns.
How to avoid paying too much
Check the total price before checkout
If the platform does not show all-in pricing, add 25-35% to the listed price to estimate your real cost. Compare that total against platforms that show fees upfront.
Compare seller payouts
If you are selling, check what you actually receive after the platform takes its cut. On a £300 ticket, the difference between a 0% and 15% seller fee is £45 in your pocket.
Use face-value or low-fee platforms first
Check TicketHunter, Twickets and DICE before going to StubHub or viagogo. You may find the same ticket at a significantly lower total cost.
Watch for event-specific fee changes
Some platforms increase fees for high-demand events. A platform that charges 10% normally might charge 25% for a sold-out show.
Frequently asked questions
Which resale site has the lowest fees?+
Is there a ticket resale site with no seller fees?+
What does all-in pricing mean?+
Which platforms cap resale ticket prices?+
Why do StubHub and viagogo charge so much?+
How can I avoid drip pricing on resale tickets?+
Related guides
Compare fees on real events
Check the all-in price on TicketHunter vs other platforms for these popular events:
Tired of paying 30% in resale fees?
TicketHunter charges 13% all-in for buyers and 0% for sellers until 2027. No drip pricing.