Who sets concert ticket prices
The artist, promoter and venue set the primary price; resale sellers set their own. See where each price sits for real upcoming concerts.
Sample prices as of Nov 7, 2026
Two groups set concert ticket prices. On the primary market, the artist's team, the promoter and the venue agree on a price plan before the on-sale, and the ticketing company sells at those prices. On the resale market, each seller sets the price of each listing on their own.
The two prices often disagree. Fees included, here is where they sat for four concerts as of Nov 7, 2026:
| Concert | Cheapest primary | Cheapest resale | Resale vs primary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phish | $413 | $99 | 0.2x |
| Gracie Abrams | $75 | $25 | 0.3x |
| Pentatonix | $38 | $55 | 1.4x |
| Los Tigres del Norte | $49 | $60 | 1.2x |
How the prices are set
- Face price. Set before the on-sale, often in tiers by section, and on some events adjusted with demand.
- Resale price. Set by each seller, often against the cheapest comparable listing in the same section.
- Fees. Set by each marketplace and added at checkout.
Questions
- Who sets ticket prices for concerts?
- The artist's team, the promoter and the venue set the primary price before the on-sale. Resale sellers set their own prices, and each marketplace sets its fees.
- How are concert ticket prices determined?
- Primary prices come from a price plan set before the on-sale, often tiered by section. Resale prices come from each seller, who usually prices against the cheapest comparable listing.
Compare primary and resale prices for any concert on Ticker.