Opinion Viagogo: resale versus full concerts

The reliability of a marketplace cannot be measured like that of a primary ticket office. Here, the platform connects buyers and sellers, but it is the sellers who determine the price and, in part, the conditions. The main point of attention is the validity of the ticket: on certain tours, a nominative ticket resold outside the official circuit may be refused entry. Choose the official ticket office, or the supervised resale offered by the organizer, when it is open.

On a resale marketplace, the price can rise well above face value, especially for sold-out concerts and headliners. Added to this are fees that are generally visible at the time of payment. Before validating, look at the total including all costs and compare it to the original value of the ticket when you know it: on a very coveted concert, the difference can be considerable. The only number that matters is the final total displayed on the payment screen.

Receipt depends on the seller and the format of the ticket. The critical point remains validity: a nominative ticket or one subject to the organizer's rules can pose a problem at entry if it has been resold outside the planned framework - a real risk on major tours which fight against speculation. Before purchasing, check the ticket type, any restrictions and what is expected if the ticket is not received or is not valid on the night of the concert.

'0' may be of interest to those who absolutely want to attend a full concert and knowingly agree to pay above the face value. For most purchases, an official ticket office – or a platform with transparent positioning on fees – offers a better security/price ratio. Reserve resale for situations where no other option is available, after looking for a supervised resale and carefully reading the organizer's conditions.