Sports Events Tickets Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Digital Tickets, Online Printable Tickets, Paper Tickets), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2028

Report Overview

The global sports events tickets market size was valued at USD 6.45 billion in 2021 and is projected to register a CAGR of 16.5% from 2022 to 2028. The significant growth in the popularity of sports events, such as the Olympics, the football world cup, NBA, and others across the globe, is one of the major factors that propel the market growth during the forecast period. The growing popularity of athletes coupled with the rising premier league competitions further contribute to the growth of the sports event industry across the globe. Additionally, the significant adoption of digital tickets coupled with the rising penetration of smartphones across the globe is further projected to provide ample opportunities to the market. However, the uncertainty of ticket prices and lack of price management is expected to hamper market growth during the forecast period.

The rising growth in the sports industry across the globe is projected to propel market growth during the forecast period. The sports industry is the largest entertainment industry across the globe, with the most popular sports and teams showcasing a positive impact on the economy. Football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer are the most popular sports across the globe. Moreover, significant growth in advertisement and offers provided by online ticketing companies play a vital role in growing the sale of tickets that further contribute to the growth of the market.    

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the sports events tickets market, as most sports events were canceled and postponed across the globe. For instance, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Hockey League (NHL) both suspended their seasons indefinitely. Major League Soccer (MLS) and Major League Baseball (MLB) delayed or suspended their seasons for (initially) 2-4 weeks and events of the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Tour were canceled. Several sports leagues altered their schedules in response to the pandemic. Therefore, these cancellations of the sports events during the pandemic further impacted the sales of the sports event tickets sales across the globe.

Type Insights

Based on type, the global sports events tickets market is further classified into digital tickets and online printable tickets, and paper tickets. Among these, the paper tickets segment contributed to a larger market share of over 60% in 2021. A large portion of conventional paper tickets used in the sports events industry, such as football and cricket, supported the highest market share. Most of the theatres across the globe currently have printed movie ticket facilities for online booked tickets as well, mostly in emerging countries, such as India, China, and others.

The digital tickets segment is forecast to expand with a significant CAGR of 17.3% from 2022 to 2028. The growing trend towards e-tickets coupled with the growing penetration of smartphones is further projected to provide ample growth to the market. A significant rise in the use of the internet and the growing trend of using mobile applications for booking live event tickets online are projected to support the segment growth. Consumers have shown an inclination toward digital tickets to avoid crowd standing in large queues, which further propels the market growth during the forecast period.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific is forecast to expand with the highest CAGR of 17.7% from 2022 to 2028. China and India are positively contributing to the growth of the market. The growing sports events industry, rising per capita income, the swelling middle-class population, and increasing disposable income are some of the factors contributing to the market growth in the region. Moreover, significant growth in the popularity of international sports events such as the Cricket World Cup and Tokyo Olympics coupled with growing digitalization in China and India further propel the market growth. Moreover, the rising smartphone sales across China, India, and other emerging economies are further projected to provide ample opportunities for market growth.

North America accounted for a major market share of over 50% in 2021. The U.S. is positively contributing to the growth of the market. Basketball is the most-watched sport in the region with popular teams such as the Bulls, Cavaliers, 76ers, Raptors, Mavericks, Warriors, Trail Blazers, and NY Knicks. A large number of people attend games via offline and online channels. As per ESPN, 851,824 people watched the Bulls, and 843,042 watched the Cavaliers in 2018. Additionally, smartphone-based event ticketing services are projected to arise as a key revenue-generating segment during the forecast period due to consumer accessibility and convenience.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The sports event ticket industry is always changing and updating. To stay head-on in the market, players tend to launch new strategies more frequently. Market players are focusing on increasing investments in R&D to innovate new and attractive solutions for the consumers for ease of purchasing event tickets in the market. Moreover, major players are targeting new regions and demography to increase the sales of the products, by either entering the new market solely or by collaborating with local sports events companies across the globe.   Some of the prominent players in the global sports events tickets market include:

• Ace Ticket Worldwide, Inc.

• AXS Group LLC

• Bigtree Entertainment Pvt. Ltd

• StubHub

• Live Nation (TicketMaster)

• Brown Paper Tickets, LLC

• Razorgator, LLC

• Ticketek Pty Ltd

• SeatGeek, Inc.

• Ticket City, Inc.

• Vivid Seats LLC 

Sports events tickets Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report 

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 2017 to 2028. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global sports events tickets market report based on type and region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Digital Tickets

  • Online Printable Tickets

  • Paper Tickets

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • North America

    • U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • U.K.

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa