Quick Overview
- 1#1: Paciolan - Comprehensive ticketing, CRM, and fundraising platform tailored for college athletics and professional sports venues.
- 2#2: Ticketmaster - Global leader in live event ticketing with advanced dynamic pricing and fan engagement for major sports leagues.
- 3#3: SeatGeek - Enterprise ticketing platform specializing in dynamic pricing and seamless integrations for MLB, NBA, and NFL teams.
- 4#4: AXS - Modern ticketing solution powering NHL, soccer, and arena sports events with mobile-first delivery.
- 5#5: StubHub - Leading fan-to-fan ticket marketplace integrated with primary sports ticketing for resale and exchange.
- 6#6: Eventbrite - Versatile event ticketing platform supporting smaller sports events, tournaments, and fan experiences.
- 7#7: Vivenu - Headless ticketing API platform enabling custom experiences for sports clubs and federations.
- 8#8: Tessitura - Integrated CRM and ticketing system for large sports and entertainment organizations.
- 9#9: HomeTown Ticketing - Cloud-based ticketing for youth, high school, and amateur sports with easy mobile sales.
- 10#10: GoFan - Digital ticketing app focused on high school sports events for cashless, contactless entry.
We selected and ranked these tools based on comprehensive evaluation of features (dynamic pricing, CRM, mobile integration), performance, ease of use, and value, ensuring they cater to diverse sports sectors from college athletics to high school leagues.
Comparison Table
Sports ticketing software is vital for event success, with tools like Paciolan, Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, AXS, StubHub, and others streamlining sales and fan experiences. This comparison table outlines key features, helping readers determine the best fit for their specific needs, whether managing large venues or boosting engagement.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paciolan Comprehensive ticketing, CRM, and fundraising platform tailored for college athletics and professional sports venues. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Ticketmaster Global leader in live event ticketing with advanced dynamic pricing and fan engagement for major sports leagues. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 3 | SeatGeek Enterprise ticketing platform specializing in dynamic pricing and seamless integrations for MLB, NBA, and NFL teams. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | AXS Modern ticketing solution powering NHL, soccer, and arena sports events with mobile-first delivery. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | StubHub Leading fan-to-fan ticket marketplace integrated with primary sports ticketing for resale and exchange. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 6 | Eventbrite Versatile event ticketing platform supporting smaller sports events, tournaments, and fan experiences. | enterprise | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 7 | Vivenu Headless ticketing API platform enabling custom experiences for sports clubs and federations. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Tessitura Integrated CRM and ticketing system for large sports and entertainment organizations. | enterprise | 6.2/10 | 5.8/10 | 5.5/10 | 5.9/10 |
| 9 | HomeTown Ticketing Cloud-based ticketing for youth, high school, and amateur sports with easy mobile sales. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 10 | GoFan Digital ticketing app focused on high school sports events for cashless, contactless entry. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
Comprehensive ticketing, CRM, and fundraising platform tailored for college athletics and professional sports venues.
Global leader in live event ticketing with advanced dynamic pricing and fan engagement for major sports leagues.
Enterprise ticketing platform specializing in dynamic pricing and seamless integrations for MLB, NBA, and NFL teams.
Modern ticketing solution powering NHL, soccer, and arena sports events with mobile-first delivery.
Leading fan-to-fan ticket marketplace integrated with primary sports ticketing for resale and exchange.
Versatile event ticketing platform supporting smaller sports events, tournaments, and fan experiences.
Headless ticketing API platform enabling custom experiences for sports clubs and federations.
Integrated CRM and ticketing system for large sports and entertainment organizations.
Cloud-based ticketing for youth, high school, and amateur sports with easy mobile sales.
Digital ticketing app focused on high school sports events for cashless, contactless entry.
Paciolan
enterpriseComprehensive ticketing, CRM, and fundraising platform tailored for college athletics and professional sports venues.
Paciolan::360, an integrated CRM-ticketing platform offering 360-degree fan profiles for hyper-personalized marketing and retention
Paciolan is a leading enterprise-grade ticketing and fan engagement platform tailored for sports organizations, particularly collegiate athletics and professional teams. It provides comprehensive tools for ticket sales, dynamic pricing, mobile ticketing, season ticket management, group sales, and CRM integration to enhance fan experiences. With robust scalability for high-volume venues, it powers ticketing for over 500 institutions and teams, streamlining operations from sales to entry.
Pros
- Comprehensive suite including dynamic pricing, mobile-first ticketing, and advanced CRM for personalized fan engagement
- Seamless integrations with stadium management systems, payment processors, and third-party apps
- Proven scalability for massive events, handling millions of tickets annually for top NCAA and pro teams
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface requiring significant staff training
- High enterprise-level pricing not suitable for small venues or startups
- Customization can be time-consuming and dependent on vendor support
Best For
Large collegiate athletic departments and professional sports franchises needing robust, scalable ticketing with deep fan data insights.
Pricing
Custom enterprise contracts based on venue capacity, transaction volume, and features; typically ranges from $100K+ annually with per-transaction fees.
Ticketmaster
enterpriseGlobal leader in live event ticketing with advanced dynamic pricing and fan engagement for major sports leagues.
SafeTix digital ticketing with NFC/QR validation to prevent fraud and counterfeiting
Ticketmaster is a dominant global ticketing platform specializing in primary ticket sales for major sports events across leagues like NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. It offers end-to-end solutions including dynamic pricing, interactive seat maps, mobile ticket delivery, and secure entry systems for venues and teams. The software integrates seamlessly with team apps and CRM systems, enabling efficient fan engagement and revenue management for large-scale sports organizations.
Pros
- Proven scalability for massive events like Super Bowls and playoffs
- Advanced anti-bot and fraud prevention via Verified Fan and SafeTix
- Robust integrations with sports league apps and venue systems
Cons
- High service and processing fees impacting fan value
- Frequent user complaints about UI glitches during high-demand sales
- Limited flexibility for smaller venues due to enterprise focus
Best For
Large professional sports teams and stadiums requiring reliable, high-volume ticketing with enterprise-grade security.
Pricing
Enterprise licensing via revenue share (typically 20-30% of ticket sales) or custom per-ticket fees; no public consumer pricing tiers.
SeatGeek
enterpriseEnterprise ticketing platform specializing in dynamic pricing and seamless integrations for MLB, NBA, and NFL teams.
Deal Score algorithm that grades tickets A-F based on market-comparable pricing
SeatGeek is a popular online marketplace for buying and selling tickets to sports events, concerts, and shows, aggregating inventory from primary and secondary sources. It offers tools like interactive seat maps, real-time price comparisons, and price alerts to help users find the best deals. The platform emphasizes transparency with its Deal Score metric, which rates tickets based on historical pricing data to indicate value.
Pros
- Proprietary Deal Score system objectively evaluates ticket value
- Intuitive mobile app with seamless search and purchase
- Buyer Guarantee protects against invalid tickets or fraud
Cons
- Service fees often add 10-20% to total cost
- Heavy reliance on secondary market leads to price volatility
- Limited primary ticket availability compared to official team sites
Best For
Sports fans hunting for deals on resale tickets to NFL, NBA, MLB, and other major league games.
Pricing
Free to browse; buyers pay per-ticket service fees (typically 10-15% of face value) plus delivery fees; no subscription required.
AXS
enterpriseModern ticketing solution powering NHL, soccer, and arena sports events with mobile-first delivery.
AXS Mobile ID for seamless, secure contactless entry and ticket transfers
AXS is a leading primary ticketing platform designed for live events, with a strong focus on sports venues and teams. It offers end-to-end solutions including ticket sales, dynamic pricing, mobile entry via AXS Mobile ID, and detailed analytics for optimizing revenue. Used by major franchises like the NBA's LA Lakers and NHL teams, it emphasizes secure, scalable ticketing for high-volume sports events.
Pros
- Extensive partnerships with major sports leagues and teams for reliable primary ticketing
- Advanced mobile ticketing and contactless entry with AXS Mobile ID
- Robust analytics and dynamic pricing tools to maximize revenue
Cons
- High transaction fees that can impact smaller venues
- Customer support can be slow during peak event periods
- Less flexibility for custom integrations compared to some competitors
Best For
Large professional sports teams and arenas needing scalable, secure ticketing for high-demand events.
Pricing
Enterprise model with per-ticket fees (typically 10-20% revenue share) and custom contracts for venues; no public self-serve pricing.
StubHub
enterpriseLeading fan-to-fan ticket marketplace integrated with primary sports ticketing for resale and exchange.
FanProtect Guarantee, ensuring valid tickets, on-time delivery, or full refund/replacement
StubHub is a prominent secondary ticket marketplace platform focused on enabling users to buy and sell tickets for sports events like NFL, NBA, MLB games, and more. It offers a vast inventory from individual resellers, featuring tools such as interactive seat maps, price alerts, and mobile bidding for last-minute deals. The platform emphasizes secure transactions with buyer and seller protections, making it a go-to for accessing sold-out or premium sports seating.
Pros
- Extensive sports ticket inventory including sold-out events
- FanProtect Guarantee for secure purchases and refunds
- User-friendly mobile app with seat views and alerts
Cons
- High service fees (20-25% for buyers)
- Tickets often priced above face value
- Customer service can be slow during peak times
Best For
Sports fans needing last-minute, premium, or hard-to-find tickets for major leagues and events.
Pricing
No subscription; per-ticket pricing varies by demand with buyer service fees of 20-25% and seller fees of 10-15%.
Eventbrite
enterpriseVersatile event ticketing platform supporting smaller sports events, tournaments, and fan experiences.
Event discovery network that promotes sports events to millions of potential local attendees
Eventbrite is a popular online ticketing platform that enables organizers to create, promote, and sell tickets for a wide range of events, including sports like youth leagues, amateur tournaments, and community games. It provides tools for event pages, basic reserved seating, mobile check-in, and marketing integrations to boost attendance. While versatile for general events, it offers foundational ticketing capabilities tailored more toward smaller-scale sports rather than professional or large-venue athletics.
Pros
- Intuitive interface for quick event setup and management
- Built-in marketing tools and event discovery to reach local audiences
- Reliable mobile app for seamless attendee check-in and transfers
Cons
- Limited advanced features like dynamic pricing or complex stadium seating maps
- Per-ticket fees can add up for high-volume sales
- Not optimized for professional sports with season tickets or resale markets
Best For
Ideal for organizers of local amateur sports events, youth leagues, or fitness classes needing simple, user-friendly ticketing without enterprise-level complexity.
Pricing
Free for free events; paid tickets incur 3.7% + $1.79 service fee per ticket (US), plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing; plans from Essentials (free) to Enterprise (custom pricing).
Vivenu
specializedHeadless ticketing API platform enabling custom experiences for sports clubs and federations.
Hyper-personalized dynamic pricing that uses AI to tailor prices to individual fans in real-time
Vivenu is a white-label ticketing platform tailored for sports teams and venues, enabling direct-to-consumer sales with advanced dynamic pricing and personalization capabilities. It empowers organizations to control their inventory, optimize revenue through data-driven strategies, and enhance fan engagement via customized experiences. Primarily used by major European football clubs like Borussia Dortmund, it integrates with club websites and apps for seamless ticket distribution.
Pros
- Sophisticated dynamic pricing engine that adjusts in real-time based on demand and fan data
- White-label customization for branded, direct sales experiences
- Strong analytics and loyalty tools to boost retention and revenue
Cons
- Enterprise-focused with opaque, high-cost custom pricing unsuitable for small venues
- Complex setup and integration requiring technical expertise
- Limited scalability for non-European markets or niche sports
Best For
Mid-to-large professional sports teams and venues seeking to reclaim ticket revenue from third-party platforms through advanced personalization.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at €50,000+ annually based on venue capacity and features.
Tessitura
enterpriseIntegrated CRM and ticketing system for large sports and entertainment organizations.
Integrated CRM database that provides 360-degree patron views across ticketing, donations, and engagement
Tessitura is an enterprise-grade ticketing and CRM platform primarily designed for performing arts and cultural organizations, offering comprehensive tools for ticket sales, customer relationship management, fundraising, and marketing. While it can handle general event ticketing, it lacks specialized features tailored for sports venues such as dynamic pricing for variable game attendance, season ticket packages with flex options, or integrations with stadium concessions and broadcasting systems. Its strength lies in long-term patron loyalty programs, making it more suitable for arts events than high-volume, fast-paced sports ticketing.
Pros
- Unified CRM and ticketing system fosters strong customer loyalty tracking
- Scalable for large-scale operations with robust reporting
- Strong integration with fundraising and membership tools
Cons
- Lacks sports-specific features like dynamic pricing and suite management
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for non-expert users
- High cost with custom pricing not optimized for sports ROI
Best For
Performing arts organizations or multi-purpose venues that occasionally host sports events and prioritize patron relationship management over sports-specific ticketing.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on ticket volume and modules; typically starts at $50,000+ annually for mid-sized operations, with implementation fees.
HomeTown Ticketing
specializedCloud-based ticketing for youth, high school, and amateur sports with easy mobile sales.
Family Wallet feature allowing shared digital passes for multiple household members
HomeTown Ticketing is a user-friendly online ticketing platform tailored for high school athletics, youth sports, and community events, offering digital ticket sales, mobile QR code entry, and season pass management. It simplifies gate operations with handheld scanners and provides family account features for repeat attendance. The software focuses on affordability and ease for smaller organizations, integrating basic reporting and fan notifications.
Pros
- Affordable transaction-based pricing with no monthly fees
- Intuitive mobile app for fans and easy scanner setup for staff
- Strong focus on family passes and season tickets for recurring sports events
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics compared to enterprise solutions
- Customization options are basic, not ideal for large-scale venues
- Fewer integrations with third-party CRM or marketing tools
Best For
High school athletic departments and small youth sports leagues seeking simple, cost-effective digital ticketing without complex setup.
Pricing
Transaction fees of $0.99 + 2.9% per ticket sold; no setup or monthly fees.
GoFan
specializedDigital ticketing app focused on high school sports events for cashless, contactless entry.
Seamless integration of ticketing, entry scanning, and cashless concessions in a single mobile app
GoFan is a digital ticketing platform tailored for high school and youth sports, enabling schools to sell mobile tickets, scan entries, and manage cashless concessions. It simplifies event management with features like live streaming integration, fundraising tools, and attendance tracking. Primarily used by K-12 athletic departments, it supports contactless experiences to enhance safety and efficiency.
Pros
- User-friendly mobile app for ticketing and scanning
- Affordable with no upfront costs for schools
- Integrated cashless payments and concessions
Cons
- Limited scalability for large professional events
- Occasional customer support delays
- Fewer advanced analytics compared to enterprise solutions
Best For
High school athletic directors and youth sports organizers seeking a simple, cost-effective ticketing system.
Pricing
Free setup for schools with transaction fees of $0.99 per ticket plus 2.9% processing.
Conclusion
Evaluating the top 10 sports ticketing tools reveals Paciolan as the standout choice, offering a robust mix of ticketing, CRM, and fundraising capabilities for diverse sports venues. Ticketmaster and SeatGeek closely follow, with Ticketmaster leading globally in dynamic pricing and fan engagement, and SeatGeek excelling in enterprise integrations for major leagues. Each platform caters to unique needs, ensuring there’s a solution for everything from high school games to large-scale professional events.
Don’t miss out on optimizing your sports ticketing workflow—try Paciolan today to unlock its comprehensive features and elevate the fan experience at every event.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
