What is Viagogo and how does it work?
Viagogo is a secondary ticket marketplace (resale platform) where individuals and brokers list tickets for concerts, sports, and events. Think of it as eBay for tickets: Viagogo doesn’t own the tickets — it connects buyers with sellers and takes a commission from both sides.
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Switzerland, the company now operates in over 60 countries. In 2020, Viagogo acquired StubHub for $4 billion, making it the world’s largest ticket resale group — though both brands continue operating independently.
Is Viagogo legit? Will I receive real tickets?
Yes, Viagogo is a legitimate company. They offer a “Viagogo Guarantee” that promises you’ll receive valid tickets in time for your event, or get a full refund. In most cases, buyers do receive their tickets without issues.
However, “legitimate” doesn’t mean “good value.” The main complaints aren’t about fraud — they’re about how much you end up paying compared to what the ticket is actually worth. Many buyers report feeling misled by the final price after fees are added at checkout.
Why are Viagogo tickets so expensive?
Two factors drive Viagogo’s high prices. First, sellers set their own prices — and for high-demand events, they often list tickets at 2-4x face value. Second, Viagogo adds a service fee of approximately 25-30% on top of the listed price, plus delivery fees.
Here’s a real example of how costs add up:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ticket face value (official price) | €80 |
| Seller’s listing price on Viagogo | €180 |
| Viagogo service fee (~28%) | +€50 |
| Delivery / processing fee | +€8 |
| Total you pay | €238 |
| Same ticket on StubHub | ~€195 |
| Official box office | €80 |
That’s almost 3x the face value. And this is a common scenario, not an extreme case. This is exactly why we built FairTickets.ai — to help you compare prices across all platforms before buying.
How much commission does Viagogo charge?
Viagogo charges fees on both sides of the transaction. Buyers pay a service fee of around 25-30% of the ticket price, plus a delivery/processing fee of €5-15. Sellers pay a commission of approximately 10-15% of the sale price.
Here’s how Viagogo’s fees compare to other major platforms:
| Platform | Buyer Fees | Price Transparency | Refund Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viagogo | 25-30% | Fees hidden until checkout | Guarantee, but slow process |
| StubHub | 15-25% | Toggle to show final price | FanProtect Guarantee |
| SeatGeek | 15-22% | Deal scores, transparent | Buyer Guarantee |
| TicketSwap | 5% + max 10% above face value | Very transparent | Secure payment protection |
| Ticombo | 10-20% | Clear fee breakdown | Ticket Guarantee |
| Official Box Office | 0-5% | Face value, fully transparent | Varies by organizer |
Viagogo: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Huge global inventory — hard-to-find tickets
- Buyer guarantee (refund if tickets invalid)
- Available in 60+ countries
- Accepts multiple payment methods
Cons
- Fees of 25-30% — among the highest
- Prices often 2-4× above face value
- Fees hidden until final checkout step
- Slow refund process (weeks, not days)
- Some venues reject resold tickets
- Aggressive SEO can mislead buyers
Cheaper alternatives to Viagogo
If you’re looking for the same event at a lower price, here are the platforms worth checking. We recommend always comparing at least 3 sources before buying:
1. Official Box Office — always check first
Before looking at any resale platform, check if tickets are still available at face value from the official seller (venue, artist website, or Ticketmaster). You’ll pay 0-5% in fees instead of 25-30%.
2. StubHub — lower fees, same inventory
StubHub (now owned by the same company as Viagogo) charges lower buyer fees of around 15-25%. It’s often the same sellers listing on both platforms, but with lower final prices on StubHub.
3. TicketSwap — fairest pricing
TicketSwap caps prices at 10% above face value, making it the fairest resale platform for buyers. It’s especially popular in Europe for festivals and concerts.
4. SeatGeek — best price transparency
SeatGeek’s “Deal Score” rates each listing from good to bad, helping you avoid overpriced tickets. Fees range from 15-22%.
5. Ticombo — growing European alternative
Ticombo is a newer platform with competitive fees and a focus on European events. Good selection for football, concerts, and festivals.
Don’t overpay. Compare all platforms at once.
FairTickets.ai compares prices from Viagogo, StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketSwap, and official sellers — for free, in seconds.
⚡ Compare Prices NowOur recommendation
Viagogo isn’t a scam — but it’s rarely the best deal. The same tickets are almost always available cheaper on other platforms, especially if you check the official box office first. The 25-30% fee is hard to justify when alternatives charge 5-15%.
Our advice: never buy from Viagogo without comparing first. Use FairTickets.ai to check the same event across all major platforms in one click. You’ll typically save 20-40% compared to Viagogo’s prices.