Launched in 2001, Vivid Seats has grown into one of the biggest names in ticket resale, even trading publicly on NASDAQ with a valuation near $4 billion. Its partnerships with ESPN, pro teams, and universities give it credibility, and its rewards program sets it apart in a crowded market. With an inventory that rivals anyone, it’s a go-to for buyers hunting for sports, concerts, or theater tickets. But while its scale is impressive, real-world experiences often paint a less flattering picture, with complaints about customer service, steep fees, and tickets that don’t always arrive on time.
Pros
- Massive ticket inventory covering sports, concerts, festivals, and theater
- High-profile partnerships with ESPN, pro teams, and major venues
- Rewards program offering perks, discounts, and occasional free tickets
- Modern interface with mobile app and seat selection tools
- Buyer Guarantee promises valid tickets or refunds.
Cons
- Service fees can reach 40% and aren’t always disclosed upfront
- Frequent Reddit reports of canceled orders and invalid tickets
- Customer service is often described as unresponsive or slow to resolve disputes
- BBB and consumer watchdog ratings lean negative
- UK and European scrutiny over pricing practices and authorization
StageSeat's Top 5 Ticket Resellers of 2025
| Platform | Best For | Main Drawback | Full Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| StubHub | Best Overall for Event Variety | High service fees | StubHub Review |
| Ticketmaster Resale | Best for Verified Primary Access | Expensive for in-demand events | Ticketmaster Review |
| Vivid Seats | Best Rewards Program | Customer service slow to resolve issues | VividSeats Review |
| GameTime | Best for Last-Minute Deals | Delivery can cut close to event start | GameTime Tickets Review |
| SeatGeek | Best for Price Transparency | Fees can still be high despite upfront display | SeatGeek Review |
Trust & Reputation
Vivid Seats maintains an impressive roster of official partners, ranging from ESPN and various collegiate programs to pro franchises, lending it serious legitimacy.
But real-world credibility is murkier. Despite these high-profile ties, Reddit is rife with stories of canceled orders, steep service fees, and poorly handled buyer disputes, many describing experiences as “scams” or warning “avoid at all costs.” One user who worked in pro-ticketing flat-out called out Vivid Seats for “the worst reputation when it comes to duplicate/phony tickets.”
European scrutiny adds fuel. In the UK, Chelsea fans and the club’s supporters’ trust have condemned Vivid Seats, backed by Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly, as an unauthorized resale platform pushing scandalous prices, prompting league investigations.
Legitimacy & Security
Vivid Seats asserts a buyer guarantee: valid tickets, delivered on time, or a refund. Its seller vetting process includes ribbons for trusted sellers and internal fraud monitoring. Yet, Reddit recounts incidents where tickets failed to arrive or were canceled at the last minute, turning guarantees into hollow promises.
Policies & Consumer Protection
While Vivid Seats openly markets its 100% buyer guarantee for live events, customer stories reveal that the practical application of these promises is inconsistent. Refunds can be hard to obtain, even when issues arise at the door. Even at face value, policies may leave buyers hanging, though large-scale funds or venue-level interventions sometimes step in.
Pricing & Fees
Vivid positions itself as competitive, often offering promotional discounts, loyalty rewards, and even free tickets via its rewards program. In reality, service fees can amount to a staggering 40% of the ticket price, not always transparently displayed early in checkout. Reddit users frequently criticize this lack of upfront fee disclosure and hidden surcharge tactics.
User Experience
The Vivid Seats platform is feature-rich, with seat pickers, a rewards system, and clean mobile integration. Yet, customer feedback paints a thornier picture: unresolved disputes, unfulfilled ticket deliveries, and persistent support delays plague the experience more than the interface glitches.
Inventory & Selection
Few platforms match the breadth of what Vivid runs, including sports, concerts, festivals, theater, and global events, which are accessible through both resale and primary partnerships. Its acquisition of Vegas.com and legacy with fantasy ticketing (Vivid Picks) further expands its reach.
Red Flags & Scam Prevention
Frequent complaints include last-minute cancellations, missing tickets, inadequate customer support, and non-transparent fees. One troubling report involved a ticket still canceled mere hours before a show, despite earlier assurances. Meanwhile, take-home lessons from Reddit advice include watching for failed delivery, verifying identities, and never buying sight-unseen or for “panic” purposes.
Reddit Voices
Critical warnings abound:
“Vivid Seats is a complete scam… they stole $380 from me.”
“Avoid this company at all costs… worst experience.”
Some positive or temperate finds:
“Vivid, SeatGeek, and StubHub are all legit for resale tickets.”
A few buyers note that buying earlier and avoiding last-minute pressure can reduce issues.
Final Verdict
Vivid Seats offers real advantages, massive ticket inventory, sports and venue partnerships, and rewards gimmicks. But those benefits come with notable caveats: frequent poor customer service, surcharges, and stories of missed entries, especially close to event time. If you’re comfortable with risk and familiar with navigating resale environments, it may work; for others, a more reliable platform with more substantial support may be worth the switch.
Recommended for:
- Tech-savvy resale users are familiar with processing call-backs, disputing charges, or dealing with Venue-level overrides.
- Buyers who plan well in advance are looking for ticket variety or reward perks.
Not recommended for:
- Buyers who want guaranteed peace of mind on event day.
- Those who are uncomfortable with last-minute resolutions or fine print.
StageSeat's Vivid Seats Rating
| Rating Category | Score (out of 10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Reputation | 6.5 | Big-name partnerships, but many unresolved complaints and regulatory scrutiny |
| Legitimacy & Security | 7 | Buyer Guarantee in place, but users report failures in practice |
| Pricing & Fees | 6 | Rewards program adds value, but hidden fees and markups hurt transparency |
| User Experience | 7 | Clean app and seat maps, yet plagued by delivery failures and support issues |
| Inventory & Selection | 9.5 | One of the widest ticket selections in the industry, boosted by partnerships |
| Overall Score | 7.2 | Huge reach and rewards, but risk of cancellations and weak customer service lower trust |
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about Vivid Seats.
Yes, but validity isn’t guaranteed until scanned at the venue. Last-minute delivery failures are not uncommon.
Fees can approach 40%, often locked in at checkout, and may significantly inflate final costs.
Although the site promises refunds or replacements, user experiences indicate lengthy wait times and difficulties with support.
No. The Premier League lists it as unauthorized, raising legal and ethical concerns for UK-based ticket sales.
Very mixed. Reddit is filled with both horror stories and cautious endorsements, generally depending on user experience, timing, and demand pressure.
