Online Event Ticketing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Platform (Desktop, Mobile), By Event Type (Sports, Music & Other Live Shows, Movies), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2025

Report Overview

The online event ticketing market size was valued at USD 54.26 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% during the forecast period. Increased proliferation of the Internet and the growing trend of using mobile applications for booking movies, sports, and live event tickets online are expected to impact growth. Customers, particularly in the Asia Pacific, have exhibited willingness to pay marginal Internet handling charges in order to avoid standing in long queues, which has positively shaped the market.

Rigorous promotion and advertising activities undertaken by online ticketing services play a pivotal role in increasing the sale of tickets through their channels. Ease associated with purchasing tickets through Internet-enabled smartphones and tablets has completely changed the dynamics of ticketing services. Prominent services providers are increasingly developing user-friendly apps for Android and iOS to facilitate hassle-free ticket purchases.

Rising consumer disposable income, especially in emerging countries, is expected to considerably contribute to market growth. This, in turn, is increasing discretionary spending on entertainment and leisure services. Movies, music concerts, sports events, and stand-up comedy can be considered the backbone of the entertainment industry.

Various technological advancements have changed the way consumers buy services and products. Several companies have started using the Internet for cutting marketing costs to stay ahead in a highly competitive market. Customers can compare prices, service features, and after-sale service facilities, further boosting adoption. The rapid growth of Internet users across the globe has provided bright prospects for e-marketers.

Service providers offer various deals and discounts along with special incentives such as pre-sales and additional discounts. They are re-designing their websites and developing mobile applications and enhanced online event ticketing software to offer a user-friendly booking experience. Additionally, offering seating preference to viewers, providing mobile tickets in the form of a barcode, and portraying a view of the screen/stage/ground from viewers’ preferred seat are some of the features offered to enhance customer experience and their position in the market.

Vendors are also focusing on providing combination deals to patrons. For instance, they offer food at highly discounted prices at the event locations in a bid to remain competitive. They also focus on forming tie-ups with banks and mobile wallet providers to lure customers into buying tickets from their portals.

Online Event Ticketing Market Trends

Digital projection combined with satellite delivery allows exhibitors to expand their product offerings, including the presentation of 3-D content and alternative entertainment. Alternative entertainment may include pre-recorded programs as well as live sports programs, concert events, the Metropolitan Opera, gaming events and other special presentations. New and enhanced programming alternatives is expected to expand the industry’s customer base and increase patronage for exhibitors.

Suppliers across the globe are opting for various measures to stay competitive in the emerging market. The companies offer various discounts and offers along with special incentives like additional pre-sales discounts. The service providers are re-designing their websites along with developing mobile applications to offer user-friendly booking experience. Additionally, select-your-own-seat, print-at-home-tickets and “view from seat” are some of the enhanced feature offered by the suppliers to enhance customer experience and thus increase their market share.

The introduction of RFID tags built in to wristbands allow customers for ticketless entry and cashless event purchases. RFID tags are useful in multi day events, it includes customer information which is displayed at the time of security check. However, prepaid smart cards are another emerging trend which reduces queue at vendor stands, provides entry, and simplified merchandise transactions. Furthermore, it includes linked bank account which provide cashless transactions.

Event organizers across the globe are forming new ways to offer exclusive passes for catching attention of audiences’ growing appetite for customization. Organizers are adding new categories to their events for attracting more customers. Furthermore, the proliferation in technology is transforming the overall industry dynamics. The growing advancement in data analysis and gathering, and wireless technology is significantly impacting events globally. Social media has positively impacted event marketing and promotions, as customers build communities and pages, and share their experiences worldwide.

Venue owners, concert organizers, and event organizers across the globe are selling VIP packages. The VIP package includes various benefits, such as premium food and beverages, back stage access, preferred seats, and VIP rest rooms. The new trend is adopted by event organizers for providing convenience and premium experiences to customers. Furthermore, by doing so, event directors, organizers are generating bigger audience and huge revenue.

Platform Insights

Ticket purchases through smartphones and tablets are expected to witness a CAGR of over 7.0% over the course of the forecast period. Mobile devices have gained popularity as the preferred device for purchasing tickets, which can be largely attributed to declining prices of Internet packs, coupled with growing penetration of high-speed 3G and 4G connectivity among masses. Mobile booking is perceived as a simpler task compared to traditional online booking via computers. Software developers are coming up with user-friendly interfaces and frequent updates to enhance user experience.

A significantly higher number of theaters and exhibitors have started accepting m-tickets and e-tickets to prevent wastage of paper. These tickets are equipped with barcodes or QR codes, which are scanned by attendants to ensure authenticity. Many service providers offer loyalty programs to users to retain them for a longer period through their mobile platforms as well.

The increasing trend of using the Internet for bookings and reservations is expected to significantly bolster the market. The overall process has become easy, reliable, quick, and safe. Furthermore, the hassle-free process of online booking and transaction increases convenience for both consumers and service providers. Such services save time and are a cost-effective way of buying movie and event tickets.

Event Type Insights

Key events covered under the scope of the online event ticketing market include movies, sports, music concerts, stand-up comedy shows, theater, dance, and opera shows. Increasing viewership of sports has consequently boosted online ticket sales for sporting events. Prominent sports events such as the National Football League (NFL), the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics Games, ICC Cricket World Cup, and the Premier League (PL) have a massive fan following.

There is intense competition among online ticket providers to secure the rights for selling these tickets from concerned parent bodies. Sports events contributed to over 30.0% of the overall online ticket sales in 2016 and the segment is expected to retain its position as a key revenue generator.

The movie ticketing segment is also characterized by a high degree of competition among service providers. In the U.S., for instance, Fandango, Movietickets.com, and Atom vie to secure the largest customer base by establishing tie-ups with leading cinema halls and offering attractive discounts to customers. Movie tickets purchased through online platforms are expected to witness a CAGR of 7.6% over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

North America is estimated to account for the largest market share over the forecast period, due to higher per capita income and increased proliferation of the Internet in countries such as the U.S. and Canada. Mobile movie ticketing services are expected to emerge as a key revenue-generating segment over the forecast period in North America, due to consumer convenience and accessibility associated with the purchase of movie tickets.

The U.S. is estimated to witness significant growth over the next few years due to the greater presence of the tech-savvy population in the country with growing disposable incomes. Moreover, Hollywood is a highly-touted entertainment industry in the U.S., due to which there is a higher demand for convenient modes of purchasing tickets. This has elevated the demand for online ticketing in the country.

India is a lucrative market for movie-ticketing service providers as new movie releases result in long queues at theaters for advanced bookings. While offering preferred seating choices to patrons is usually an optional service for providers in the U.S., it is a basic necessity in markets such as India and China. BookMyShow, a prominent player in India, reportedly carries out over 35,000 transactions in a day and sells over 95,000 tickets in the country.

MEA is anticipated to witness considerable growth over the forecast period. The rapid adoption of smartphones and tablets in countries such as Qatar, Turkey, and UAE is anticipated to drive market growth. The 2022 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be staged in Qatar; this is likely to provide an impetus to service providers in the country.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period, due to increasing penetration of internet and smart devices. Moreover, factors such as strong economic growth and prosperity, shift towards western oriented lifestyle, rising broadband penetration, and the launch of new age multiplexes, are expected to drive the market growth in countries, such as India and China, over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key companies in the industry are forming partnerships with financial institutions, such as digital wallet service providers and banks, for providing additional offers to customers, thereby leading to increased traffic and financial transactions on websites. Leading companies operating in the marketplace include Razorgato; StubHub; Ticketmaster; Tickpick; Fandango; AOL Inc.; Atom Tickets LLC; Fandango; Movietickets.com; Big Cinemas; Cinemark Holdings Inc.; BookMyShow.com; Vue Entertainment; Mtime; and Kyazoonga.

Online Event Ticketing Market Report Scope

Global Online Event Ticketing Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global online event ticketing market report on the basis of platform, event type, and region:

• Platform Outlook (USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Desktop

  • Mobile

• Event Type Outlook (USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Sports

  • Music & Other Live Shows

  • Movies

• Regional Outlook (USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

  • Middle East & Africa

  • Latin America

    • Mexico

    • Brazil