In an age where live experiences—from Beyoncé concerts to Premier League matches—often sell out within minutes, ticket resale platforms have become a necessary evil for many fans. Among them, Viagogo is perhaps the most notorious. With a global footprint and listings for events on nearly every continent, Viagogo promises access but often at a price, and with a shadow of controversy.
Despite years of backlash from regulators, artists, and disappointed customers, Viagogo continues to thrive. Why do millions still use it? And what should you know before clicking “buy” on that long-awaited concert ticket?
What Is Viagogo?
Viagogo is a secondary ticket marketplace launched in 2006. It operates much like eBay for live event tickets: individuals or companies can list tickets for resale, and buyers can purchase them at market-driven prices. The platform offers tickets to concerts, festivals, theater shows, and sports events worldwide.
Viagogo positions itself as a bridge between supply and demand, allowing fans who missed the original sale to find another chance albeit at potentially inflated prices.
Unlike official vendors such as Ticketmaster or See Tickets, Viagogo doesn’t set the prices. Sellers do, which means tickets can often be sold at double, triple, or even ten times their face value.
The Allure: Accessibility in a Sold-Out World
The draw is simple: access. If you missed out when Taylor Swift or Coldplay tickets sold out in minutes, Viagogo may be your only option. For international fans planning trips around events, or last-minute planners, Viagogo offers a convenient, if costly, solution.
The platform is available in over 60 countries and supports multiple languages and currencies. It boasts a “100% Guarantee”, promising that tickets will arrive on time and be valid. For many users, this promise is enough to click “purchase,” even if the ticket price feels exorbitant.
But that guarantee has been tested time and again.
The Risks: Overpricing, Invalid Tickets, and Poor Transparency
Consumer protection agencies in several countries have criticized Viagogo for a lack of transparency. A 2020 investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found the site was not adequately disclosing key ticket information such as seat location or restrictions on resale.
In Australia, the company was fined $7 million AUD for misleading pricing practices, including hiding additional fees until the final checkout page.
The most common complaints from users include:
- Receiving invalid or duplicate tickets
- Being denied entry at the venue
- Not receiving tickets in time
- Lack of effective customer support
- Hidden service and delivery fees adding 20–30% to the final cost
On social platforms like Reddit and Twitter, you’ll find countless testimonials from users burned by the experience. Some were able to reclaim their money eventually. Others weren’t so lucky.
How Does Viagogo Compare?
When it comes to secondary ticketing, Viagogo isn’t alone. Here’s how it stacks up against competitors:
| Platform | Guarantee Policy | Fees | Reputation Score (user feedback) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viagogo | 100% Guarantee (questioned) | High | Mixed to Negative |
| StubHub | FanProtect Guarantee | Medium-High | Mixed to Positive |
| TicketSwap | Verified resale, fair pricing | Lower | Generally Positive |
| Twickets | Face value only | Minimal | Highly Positive |
While Viagogo offers a wider inventory and global access, platforms like TicketSwap or Twickets appeal to more ethical consumers. Twickets, for instance, caps resale prices at face value, reducing the risk of exploitation.
Who Uses Viagogo and Why?
Despite the backlash, Viagogo persists. Its user base includes desperate fans, international travelers, gift-buyers, and even businesses looking to entertain clients at sold-out shows.
Some use it as a last resort, while others see it as a necessary evil in an industry plagued by demand and limited supply. In certain countries where official ticketing is poorly regulated, Viagogo may be the only available option for international fans who can’t navigate local ticket portals.
The platform also appeals to ticket resellers, some of whom are professional touts capitalizing on demand. While Viagogo claims to monitor fraud, critics argue it enables speculative selling where sellers post tickets they don’t yet possess.
Best Practices for Safer Use
If you must use Viagogo, here are a few tips to minimize the risks:
- Check the event policy: Some venues deny entry to resale ticket holders.
- Compare prices with official vendors or ethical resellers like TicketSwap.
- Use a credit card, not a debit card or bank transfer, for better fraud protection.
- Screenshot everything: Confirmation emails, receipts, and listing details.
- Arrive early to the event especially if you’re unsure about the ticket’s validity.
The Bigger Question: Should You Use Viagogo?
That depends on your tolerance for risk and your budget. Viagogo exists because of a broken system: ticket scarcity, scalping, and opaque distribution. Until the live events industry reforms its resale rules, platforms like Viagogo will continue to thrive in the gray area between need and exploitation.
Some consumers walk away satisfied. Others walk away empty-handed and angry.
So before you hit “Buy Now” on Viagogo, ask yourself:
Is it worth the gamble?
