Willing to make money by reselling tickets online? Ticket scalping or ticket reselling is an entertaining and lucrative side job where money is made from events like concerts, sporting events and plays, which attract demand. But success here does not come off easily as it takes timing and a pinch of tech know-how along with some knowledge of the laws. In this guide, I dwell into how ticket scalping is done, what the legal limits are, and how successful sellers work in multi-account setups to scale without getting banned.
Key takeaways:
- You will learn how to identify events with enhanced resale value and the places to sell tickets lawfully.
- We will discuss the tools and exchanged platforms professional resellers use to manage multiple accounts without getting banned.
- You shall learn about the legality of scalping and how to manage compliance in your jurisdiction.
- Forget about scams — work hard on the strategy and this side hustle will pay off in abundance for you.
What Is Ticket Scalping and How Does It Work?
Anything from concert, sports games, theatrical shows can simply be classified as ticket scalping. It is buying tickets for an event and reselling them at a profit. Most scalpers buy tickets during presales or when tickets drop and sell them on sites like StubHub, SeatGeek, or Viagogo.
The goal? Selling tickets at 10 to 100 percent of the price above face value to fans who could not make it to the concert or did not buy tickets in time. Some of these are casual offenses; some are pretty serious constructed operations using software, many accounts, and data to bet well.
There is going to be reselling a ticket, but there is also going to be trend scouting of the market for quick action and competition against others doing the same thing.
Is Ticket Scalping Legal?
The short answer: it depends on where you live and how you do it. Ticket scalping laws vary by country, and sometimes even by state or province. Some places are strict about reselling limits or proximity to event venues, while others allow it freely — as long as you follow a few rules.
Here’s a quick look at how the law works in a few major regions:
| Country/Region | Legal Status | Details |
| United States | ✅ / ❌ Varies | Some states allow online reselling, others limit pricing or require licenses. In New York, for example, selling above face value within 1,500 feet of a venue is illegal. |
| United Kingdom | ❌ Mostly illegal | Especially strict for sports tickets (like football). Concert resales may be allowed on authorized platforms. |
| Canada | ✅ / ❌ Mixed | Legal in most provinces with proper documentation and tax reporting. Quebec bans resale above face value. |
| Australia | ❌ for major events | Selling tickets for major events at more than 10% markup is illegal under the Major Events Act. |
| Japan | ❌ Illegal | A national law bans unauthorized resale of tickets for specific events. |
| Singapore | ⚠️ Risky | Not officially illegal, but tickets can be voided without refund if organizers detect scalping. |
Even in places where scalping is legal, resale platforms have their own rules. They can ban accounts for overpricing, bot-like behavior, or duplicate listings. So, if you’re planning to make this a serious side hustle, you’ll need to stay informed and play by the rules — both legal and platform-specific.
Why People Get Into Ticket Reselling
Ticket reselling is no longer an avenue for only die-hard fans or technology-backed hustlers. It has turned out to be a bona fide side income for thousands. Some sell tickets as a weekend gig; others have formed full-fledged enterprises around it. This is how they attract the attention of so many:
- Low Barrier to Entry: You do not need a stockpile nor do you need to have any kind of sophisticated arrangement. All you require are starting funds, ticket platforms, and some research into spotting high-demand events.
- High Demand, Limited Supply: Big concerts and playoff games are often sold out after just a few minutes. In the end, that scarcity drives the resale price higher, thus providing an opportunity for profit.
- Flexibility: There are no fixed office hours or bosses in this particular market. You decide what events you want to bet on, when to list them, and how tough to negotiate on pricing.
- Digital Convenience: The whole thing is done on the Web, including ticket purchase, listing, and cashing out. With the right tools, you can automate part of the process, scale quickly, and keep organized.
It isn’t guaranteed to work perfectly each time, and you are bound to take the occasional hit. But for many, the reward outweighs the risk- especially if you have a grasp of demand trends and have avoided newbie errors.
How to Find Profitable Events
Not every show is a hit; you have to select events that people want to attend with frenzied passion. Here’s how:
- Watch the hype online: Tap Google Trends and see what Twitter is buzzing about or what seems to get people talking on Reddit concerning artists, teams, or shows.
- Watch for new releases: Whenever an artist drops a new album or a team makes it to the playoffs, the demand seems to just skyrocket.
- Join presales: Fan clubs, credit card offers, and official presales are great for getting early-access ticketing in such a way that you may just get ahead of the crowd.
- Follow event trackers: Instruments like Songkick, Bandsintown, or Ticketmaster’s event calendar help the user find blazing shows that are hot upcoming.
- Look out for scarcity: Small venues, exclusive events, or VIP-only shows usually find their ticket prices skyrocketing on resale.
Timing is everything; getting in early could be a double-your-money scenario, while getting in too late could be a lost-your-money situation.
Where to Buy and Sell Tickets
Buy From:
- Ticketmaster – The go-to for concerts, sports, and big-name shows.
- AXS – Similar to Ticketmaster; great for sports and live music.
- Eventbrite – Ideal for smaller or niche events.
Sell On:
- StubHub – One of the biggest and most trusted resale platforms.
- SeatGeek – Easy to use with a solid mobile app.
- Viagogo – Best for international events.
- Vivid Seats – Popular, user-friendly, and good for large-volume sellers.
You can also sell locally via:
- Facebook Marketplace – No fees, but you’ll need to meet in person.
- Reddit (r/TicketSales) – Community-based, but always double-check for scammers.
Every platform has fees (usually 10–20%), so build those into your pricing.
How to Set Prices and Write Listings That Sell
It’s a constant balancing act, searching for the best price for tickets. Prices set too high won’t sell; prices relatively set low mean a loss. Here are smart strategies that should guide you toward pricing correctly and appealing to buyers:
- Investigate Similar Listings
Check what others charge for similar tickets. When pimping up your auction, consider platform fees and your profit margin so that you can be competitive lay down in that direction.
- Put in The Time
When the event gets closer, ticket demand peaks, but if they aren’t selling, price drops on tickets. Sell tickets when demand is highest but before the market gets saturated.
- Price to Sell
Price just below the highest resale price on a deal for 10%-30% profit, depending on demand.
- Write Clear Listings With All Details
Include everything in your listing: event info, seating info, perks such as VIP access, and making sure. Good pictures and a clear description are the keys that will make your listing stand out.
- Bundle Or Group Offers
Selling extra tickets together attracts buyers who might need more than one, allowing extra faster and getting a better price.
With these few tips, you will increase your chance of selling tickets fast and profitably.
Selling Tickets with Multiple Accounts
Scalpers often use multiple accounts to:
- Bypass ticket limits during sales
- List tickets on several platforms
- Reduce risk if one account is banned
But managing them safely is key. Use tools like Multilogin to create separate browser profiles with unique IPs, cookies, and user agents. This prevents platforms from linking your accounts.
Avoid overloading accounts and always follow platform terms. Some resellers use automation, but don’t go full-bot — many platforms have bot detection and ban tools.
Risks, Rules, and How to Avoid Platform Bans
While ticket reselling can be a profitable side hustle, it comes with its own set of risks:
- Overpricing – Go too high, and your tickets might sit unsold or get flagged.
- Platform bans – Too many listings, too fast, or suspicious account activity can get you kicked off.
- Fake tickets = instant ban – Never list tickets you don’t have or try to pass off invalid ones.
- Bot usage – Some automation is fine, but full-blown bots are a red flag and can lead to bans or legal action.
- Legal trouble – Ignoring local resale laws can lead to fines or worse. Always check what’s legal in your area.
By staying aware of the rules, using the right tools, and operating within the platform’s guidelines, you can significantly reduce your risk of being banned or fined.
Is It Worth It? Profit Margins and Real-World Results
Ticket flipping can be very promising, but set your expectations down to earth. The average profit margin is usually around 10-30%, but for big demand events, one can easily escalate it up to more than a hundred percent. Even though, there are fees for reselling platforms, which usually takes up around 10% to 20%, and your incurred expenses purchasing tickets, overall profit will hinge on a particular expense.
It’s important to know that not all risks are there. Not all the tickets will sell at profit, while some will end up selling zero. There is the possibility of suffering losses if one invests heavily in a single event, or holds for too long. There are resellers who can withdraw thousands monthly, but things can go haywire, particularly among those who misprice or fail to follow the platform’s rules.
In short, ticket scalping can be profitable with the right strategy, but it requires careful planning and management.
