How Much Does It Cost to Sell Tickets Online? 2026 Fee Comparison

You've put together your event, locked in the lineup, confirmed the venue, and your team is ready. Now it's time to sell tickets. And here comes the question no promoter should ignore: how much will each ticket I sell cost me? Because ticketing platform fees can eat up between 5% and 15% of your revenue without you even realizing it.

The problem isn't just the visible fee. It's everything underneath: payment processing costs, transfer charges, refund penalties, and hidden costs you only discover when you receive the settlement. If you sell 5,000 tickets at 30 euros, the difference between a platform that charges 4% and one that charges 10% is 9,000 euros. Money that could go toward production, artists, or marketing.

In this guide you'll find an honest comparison of the fees charged by the leading ticketing platforms in Spain in 2026. No fine print, with real examples and a table that will let you calculate exactly how much you'll pay for each ticket sold.

How Do Fees Work on Ticketing Platforms?

Before comparing platforms, you need to understand the cost structure. Most ticket-selling services combine several types of charges that are applied in different ways.

Service Fee

This is the percentage the platform charges on the price of each ticket sold. It can be a fixed percentage (for example, 5%), a fixed amount per ticket (0.99 euros), or a combination of both (3% + 0.50 euros). This is the most visible cost and the one that usually appears on pricing pages.

Payment Processing Fee

Every time a buyer pays by credit card, debit card, or any electronic method, there's a processing cost. Payment processors like Stripe or Adyen typically charge between 1.4% and 2.9% plus a fixed amount per transaction (0.25-0.30 euros). Some platforms absorb this cost in their main fee; others charge it separately.

Who Pays: Promoter or Buyer

This detail radically changes the equation. If the promoter absorbs the fees, the price the buyer sees is clean, but your margin shrinks. If the buyer pays them, your revenue stays intact, but the final ticket price goes up and can affect conversion. Each platform has its own default model, although many let you choose.

Other Costs That Don't Show Up on the Front Page

Delayed settlements (your money held for days or weeks), refund charges (the platform keeps its fee even if you return the money), bank transfer fees, and in some cases fees for printing tickets at the box office or for using premium features like dynamic pricing or reserved seating.

Eventbrite: The Market Standard

Eventbrite is probably the best-known platform for small and mid-sized events. Its presence in Spain has grown significantly in recent years, especially for conferences, workshops, and cultural events.

Eventbrite Fee Structure 2026

Eventbrite charges 6.95% + 0.99 euros per ticket sold on its standard plan. There's no cost for free events. The Professional plan rises to 9.95% + 0.99 euros, but includes additional features such as custom pages and enhanced support.

For a 30-euro ticket, the standard fee would be: 30 × 0.0695 + 0.99 = 3.08 euros per ticket. That's 10.2% of the ticket price. For a 2,000-ticket event, we're talking about more than 6,000 euros in fees from sales alone.

Advantages and Limitations

Eventbrite has a marketplace with organic traffic that can provide visibility, especially for events open to the general public. The platform is intuitive and lets you start selling in minutes. However, for professional promoters with high volumes, the cumulative cost becomes hard to justify. In addition, customization of the buying experience is limited and Eventbrite's branding appears prominently.

Ticketmaster: The Ticketing Giant

Ticketmaster dominates the large-event segment: international artist tours, large-format festivals, and permanent venues. Its market position allows it to negotiate very different terms depending on the client.

Ticketmaster Fee Structure 2026

Ticketmaster doesn't publish its rates openly. Fees are negotiated case by case and depend on volume, event type, and the commercial relationship. Buyers usually see a service charge ranging from 3 to 8 euros per ticket, but the actual structure includes multiple layers.

For the end buyer, a 50-euro ticket can end up costing between 56 and 62 euros. For the promoter, terms vary enormously: from deals where Ticketmaster takes on risk in exchange for exclusivity, to pure-distribution models where the promoter pays a fixed fee per ticket processed.

The Exclusivity Factor

The biggest cost of working with Ticketmaster isn't always the direct fee. Exclusivity contracts with venues mean that if your event takes place at an affiliated venue, you have no choice of platform. In addition, settlement terms can be 5 to 15 business days after the event, which affects your cash flow.

Dice: The "No Visible Fee" Model

Dice has positioned itself as the platform that doesn't charge buyers any fees. The price you see is the price you pay. It sounds great, but the cost exists and the promoter bears it.

Dice Fee Structure 2026

Dice charges the promoter a fee that generally ranges between 8% and 12% of the ticket price, depending on the agreement. This model has the advantage that the public-facing price is clean and round, which improves the perception of value and can increase conversion.

For a 30-euro ticket with a 10% fee, Dice keeps 3 euros. The promoter receives 27 euros per ticket. The difference compared to other platforms where the buyer pays the extra is that here the promoter directly bears the cost.

Advantages of the Dice Model

Dice's anti-resale system (tickets can only be transferred within the app) is one of the most effective on the market. If resale is a concern for you, check out our guide on how to control ticket resale. The buyer experience is excellent: a clean app, no surprises at checkout, and a waiting-list system that works well. For electronic music promoters and urban cultural events, Dice has a very loyal user base.

Fever: The Experiences Marketplace

Fever has grown strongly in Spain, especially in immersive experiences, activities, and leisure events. Its model combines marketplace and ticketing, which sets it apart from traditional platforms.

Fever Fee Structure 2026

Fever operates with a variable model that typically sits between 15% and 30% of the ticket price, depending on the event type and the level of promotion Fever provides. In exchange, Fever invests in advertising to fill the event and brings its own user database.

The cost is significantly higher than that of other platforms, but the model is different: Fever isn't just a sales channel, it's a distribution partner. If your event needs visibility and you don't have your own marketing budget, the cost can be offset by the sales Fever generates on its own.

When Fever Makes Sense

For recurring experiences (escape rooms, immersive exhibitions, food tours) where the audience volume comes mostly from Fever's marketplace, the model works. For festivals or concerts where you already have your own audience, the percentage is hard to justify.

Futura Tickets: Transparent Fees for Professional Promoters

Futura Tickets works with a fee model that ranges between 3% and 5% depending on the plan contracted. No hidden costs, no fine print. Payment processing is included in the fee.

What the Fee Includes

Every plan includes a real-time analytics dashboard, access control with dynamic QR codes, capacity management, marketing tools (promo codes, automated early bird), and dedicated support. You can review all the details on the pricing page.

Settlement is completed within a maximum of 48 hours after the event, which significantly improves cash flow compared to platforms that hold the money for 5 to 15 days.

Comparison Table: Real Cost per Ticket Sold

Here's the breakdown of how much it costs to sell a ticket on each platform. The figures include the service fee and, where applicable, payment processing. We've used three reference prices: a budget ticket (10 euros), a mid-range one (30 euros), and a premium one (50 euros).

For a 3,000-ticket event at 30 euros (90,000 euros in gross revenue), the difference in fees would be:

• Eventbrite: 9,240 euros
• Ticketmaster: ~10,500 euros (estimated)
• Dice: 9,000 euros
• Fever: 13,500–27,000 euros
• Futura Tickets: 2,700–4,500 euros

The difference between the most expensive option and the cheapest can exceed 20,000 euros in a single event.

Hidden Costs That Don't Appear in the Comparison

Beyond per-ticket fees, there are costs that many promoters discover too late. These additional expenses can add an extra 2-5% on top of your total revenue.

Payment Processing

Some platforms display their fee *without including* the payment processing cost. Stripe charges 1.5% + 0.25 euros in Europe for European cards, and up to 3.25% for international cards. If the platform doesn't absorb this cost, add it to the base fee.

Chargebacks and Disputes

When a buyer disputes a charge with their bank, the payment platform charges a fee of between 15 and 25 euros per chargeback, whether you win or lose the dispute. In large events, chargebacks can account for between 0.5% and 2% of transactions. A 1% rate at a 5,000-ticket event at 30 euros means 50 potential disputes and up to 1,250 euros in chargeback fees.

Refunds: Who Loses

When you cancel an event or a buyer requests a refund, does the platform return its fee? In most cases, no. Eventbrite keeps its service fee even on refunds. This means you not only lose the sale, but you also pay for a transaction that ultimately didn't materialize. It's a cost that can be very significant at events with high cancellation rates.

Fund Retention and Settlement

The timing of payments directly affects your ability to cover production costs. If the platform holds the money until after the event (as Ticketmaster does in many cases), you'll need to fund production out of your own pocket or with lines of credit. That financing cost doesn't appear in any comparison table, but it's real.

How to Choose the Right Platform Based on Your Event Type

There's no universal answer. The best platform depends on your specific situation.

Small Events (Fewer Than 500 Tickets)

For a workshop, a conference, or a small corporate event, ease of use and speed of setup usually matter more than the fee. A 200-ticket event at 20 euros generates 4,000 euros; the difference between a 5% and a 10% fee is 200 euros. In this range, prioritize the buyer experience and the features you need.

Mid-Sized Events (500-5,000 Tickets)

This is where fees start to really hurt. A 3,000-ticket festival at 40 euros generates 120,000 euros. 3% is 3,600 euros; 10% is 12,000 euros. In this range, negotiating the fee or choosing a platform with competitive rates has a direct impact on your bottom line.

Large Events (More Than 5,000 Tickets)

With high volumes, negotiation is mandatory. The major platforms offer volume discounts and custom terms. But you should also evaluate factors like the platform's stability during sales peaks (mass on-sales), integration with your access control system, and the quality of the reporting.

What You Should Ask Before Signing With a Platform

Before committing to a ticketing platform, there are questions many promoters don't ask but should.

About Real Costs

• Does the fee include payment processing or is it charged separately?
• What happens to the fee if there's a refund?
• Are there costs for extra features (reserved seating, dynamic pricing, advanced reports)?
• What is the chargeback fee?
• Is there a minimum monthly cost or a lock-in commitment?

About Settlement and Payments

• When do I receive the money from sales?
• Can I receive partial advances before the event?
• In what currency is settlement made, and is there a currency exchange fee?
• What happens to the money if I cancel the event?

About Control and Data

• Do I have access to buyer data (name, email)?
• Can I export the attendee database?
• Will the platform contact my buyers to promote other events?
• Can I integrate sales into my own website, or am I required to use theirs?

Who Should Pay the Fee: You or the Buyer?

This is one of the most strategic decisions you can make, and it doesn't have an obvious answer.

The "Absorb" Model (the Promoter Pays)

If you absorb the fee, the price the buyer sees is clean. A 30-euro ticket costs exactly 30 euros. The advantage is a better buying experience and less friction at checkout. The downside is that your margin shrinks. If you work with a 5% fee, you receive 28.50 euros for every 30-euro ticket.

The "Pass-Through" Model (the Buyer Pays)

If you pass the fee on to the buyer, you receive the full 30 euros and the buyer pays 31.50 euros (with a 5% fee). The advantage is that you protect your margin. The downside is that the final price goes up and, in price-sensitive markets, it can affect conversion. In addition, extra charges at checkout are one of the leading causes of cart abandonment.

The Hybrid Model

Some promoters opt for an intermediate model: they absorb part of the fee and pass on the rest. For example, with a 5% fee, they absorb 2% and pass on 3%. The final price rises less and the impact on the margin is moderate.

The Real Cost of Ticketing Goes Beyond the Fee

When you assess how much it costs to sell tickets online, the per-ticket fee is only part of the equation. The total cost includes the time you spend managing the platform, the quality of the data you receive to make decisions, the speed of settlement, and the impact on your attendees' buying experience.

A cheap platform that gives you poor data, settles late, and offers a mediocre buying experience can cost you more than a platform with slightly higher fees that saves you time, gives you actionable insights, and converts better.

Conclusion

Ticketing fees are a direct cost on your revenue that deserves as much attention as artist fees or venue rental. The difference between platforms can amount to thousands or tens of thousands of euros in a single event.

Run the numbers with your real figures. Ask about hidden costs. Negotiate. And above all, choose a platform that gives you total transparency about what you're paying. Your margin will thank you.

If you want to see exactly how much you'd pay with each plan, check out our pricing page with the full breakdown and no surprises.