Concert Ticket Resale Rules: What You Can and Can’t Do

When you buy a concert ticket and later decide to sell it, you’re stepping into the concert ticket resale rules, the legal and platform-specific guidelines that control how tickets can be resold after purchase. Also known as secondary ticket market rules, these aren’t just fine print—they shape whether you get your money back, face fines, or get banned from future events. These rules vary by state, country, venue, and even the artist’s team. Some places let you sell at any price. Others cap prices at face value plus fees. A few ban resale entirely.

The secondary ticket market, the ecosystem of platforms and individuals who buy and sell tickets after the initial sale. Also known as ticket resale platforms, it includes giants like Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale, StubHub, and SeatGeek—but also shady Facebook groups and Craigslist listings. Not all resale is illegal, but not all is safe. Many resale sites now require tickets to be transferred digitally through official channels. That’s because ticket scalping, the practice of buying tickets in bulk to resell at inflated prices. Also known as bot-driven ticket hoarding, it’s been outlawed in some states and restricted by laws like the BOTS Act of 2016. Artists and promoters hate it because it hurts fans and ruins the experience.

What’s allowed? Usually, if you’re selling a single ticket at or near face value through an official platform, you’re fine. What’s risky? Using bots, hiding fees, selling tickets that are non-transferable, or listing tickets that were never yours to begin with. Some venues, like Madison Square Garden or Red Rocks, have strict no-resale policies tied to the original purchaser’s ID. Others, like those using Ticketmaster’s “Transfer” feature, make resale easy—but only if you use their system. If you try to print and hand off a ticket labeled "non-transferable," you could be turned away at the gate—even if you paid full price.

And don’t assume a site is safe just because it looks professional. Fake resale platforms pop up before big tours. They take your money, send you a fake barcode, and vanish. The concert ticket resale rules, the legal and platform-specific guidelines that control how tickets can be resold after purchase. Also known as secondary ticket market rules, it’s not just about legality—it’s about trust. Always check if the seller is verified, if the platform has buyer protection, and if the ticket can be transferred directly to your account through the official app or website.

There’s no single rulebook, but there are patterns. If the original ticket says "non-transferable," don’t resell it. If the artist or venue explicitly bans resale, you’re breaking their terms. If the resale price is more than 10-20% over face value in a state with price caps, you could be fined. And if you’re buying, always check the seller’s history, the transfer method, and whether the ticket is in your name before the show.

Below, you’ll find real breakdowns of how resale works on Ticketmaster, what Nugs.net allows, how VIP packages are handled, and why some concerts ban resale entirely. You’ll see what’s legal, what’s a scam, and what you can actually count on when you’re trying to sell or buy a ticket after the initial sale. No fluff. Just what you need to know before you click "Sell" or "Buy."