All-In Ticket Prices Explained: What's Included?
Ticket prices are confusing when the number you see first is not the number you pay. This guide explains what the price on an OriginalTickets listing includes, what may still be added at checkout, and why resale prices move the way they do.
What the price on OriginalTickets represents
When OriginalTickets shows a seat price, it is the all-in price per ticket from our ticket partner: the ticket plus the provider's markup and mandatory fees. We do not show a lower headline number and add the mandatory fees later.
A price only ever appears attached to a specific, real event and links to that event's page. We do not show example or illustrative prices. If we cannot confirm a current price, we show no figure rather than an old one.
What can still be added at checkout
Two things are not included in the all-in seat price: applicable taxes, and shipping for physical tickets where a listing is delivered that way. Where they apply, they are shown at checkout before you pay.
The order total at checkout is the final amount for your order. Compare that total, not the seat price alone, when you decide.
Mandatory fees versus additional charges
A mandatory fee is one you cannot avoid when buying that ticket, such as a service fee. On OriginalTickets those are already in the seat price you see.
Additional charges depend on your order rather than the ticket itself — taxes where you are, or shipping when a physical ticket has to be sent. That is why they are calculated at checkout.
Why resale prices differ from face value
Face value is the price printed or set by the original seller. On a resale marketplace, each seller sets their own price, so a ticket can be listed above or below its face value.
Popular events often resell above face value because demand is higher than the number of seats. Less popular dates, or events close to start time with seats still unsold, can resell below it.
What affects resale prices
Several ordinary factors push prices up or down:
- Demand for the performer, team or show, and whether the event is sold out at the box office.
- The date: weekend nights, holidays and final performances tend to be in higher demand.
- Seat location: sections closer to the stage or field, aisle seats and better sightlines usually cost more.
- Quantity: finding several seats together is harder than finding one or two.
- Time to the event: prices can rise or fall as the date approaches, depending on how many tickets remain.
- Stakes: for sports, rivalry games and playoffs typically draw more demand.
Why prices and availability change
Resale inventory is live. Sellers add listings, change prices and sell tickets constantly, so a price you saw earlier may be different or gone when you return.
OriginalTickets rechecks your selected tickets against live inventory before checkout. If a listing has sold or changed, you will see that rather than a stale price.
Sections, rows and quantities
A listing's price is per ticket for a particular section and, usually, row. Two listings in the same section can differ in price because of the row, the exact seats or the number of tickets.
If you need several seats together, check that the listing says so and that the quantity you choose is offered. Some listings only sell in certain quantities so that a single seat is not left on its own.
Review the final order before you pay
Checkout shows the event, seats, quantity, delivery method and full order total including any taxes or shipping. That page is the authority on what you are paying — read it before you confirm.
Before you pay
- The seat price already includes the provider's mandatory fees.
- I've checked the order total for taxes and any shipping.
- The section, row and quantity are the ones I chose.
- I understand prices can change if I come back later.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the price on OriginalTickets include fees?
- Yes. Seat prices include our ticket partner's markup and mandatory fees. Applicable taxes, and shipping for physical tickets, are added at checkout where they apply.
- Why is the ticket more than face value?
- On a resale marketplace each seller sets their own price. When demand is higher than the supply of seats, listings are often above face value; they can also be below it.
- Why did the price change when I came back?
- Resale listings are live and change as sellers update prices and tickets sell. We recheck your selection against live inventory before checkout.
Related pages
OriginalTickets is an independent site and is not a box office. Tickets are sold and fulfilled by the provider handling each listing, under that provider's terms. Venue, event and production policies are set by those organisations. See our editorial standards and corrections pages.