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Is SeatGeek legit?

New York ticket marketplace and primary ticketer for many teams; strong app ratings, but support is hard to reach when something goes wrong.

Best refund record
Ticket siteSince 2009seatgeek.comChecked October 16, 2026 by Nurullah GökdoğanHow we check
1 · Is it a real company that delivers?
Yes, it’s legit

SeatGeek is a privately held New York company founded in 2009. It runs both a resale marketplace and primary ticketing for about 300 teams and venues. App and Trustpilot ratings are high; complaint sites focus on support and refunds.

2 · Will you pay what you were quoted?
Usually, with care

Shows the full price, including mandatory fees but before taxes, early in checkout (since May 2025). Service fees are reported at roughly 10-30%, higher for in-demand events, and are non-refundable.

How fair is SeatGeek?

Five checks, 1–5 each. 3 is average for event tickets.

Price honestyIs the all-in price shown up front?Shows the full price, including mandatory fees but before taxes, early in checkout (since May 2025). Service fees are reported at roughly 10-30%, higher for in-demand events, and are non-refundable.Sources:ticketx.comterms.law
3/5
Claims and refundsDo refunds come through when events change?Cancelled events get a full refund (or credit). Postponed events are case by case and generally not refunded. ConsumerAffairs reviewers often complain about refunds being turned into credits. An optional Refundable Tickets add-on allows full-order refunds up to 48 hours before.Sources:terms.lawseatgeek.caconsumeraffairs.com
3/5
Pick-up and deliveryDo tickets arrive on time and scan at the gate?The Buyer Guarantee covers late or invalid tickets. Delivery timing depends on the seller, and complaint sites report late or non-scanning tickets.Sources:terms.lawconsumeraffairs.com
3/5
Fine printDelivery, transfer and refund termsBuyer Guarantee covers invalid tickets, late delivery, seller no-shows and cancellations. It excludes buyer's remorse and postponements. Terms include mandatory arbitration with a class-action waiver.Sources:ticketx.comterms.law
3/5
SupportDo disputes end well?ConsumerAffairs reviewers repeatedly say there is no phone number, chat goes unavailable and emails go unanswered (1.0 from 1,068 reviews), although the Trustpilot average is high.Sources:consumeraffairs.comjoindeleteme.com
2/5

Fees to expect

Buyer service feeReported by TicketX, a competitor; another review puts it at 15-25%. Fees are non-refundable.Source:ticketx.com
About 10%-30% of ticket price (reported)
Delivery feeReported by TicketX, a competitor.Source:ticketx.com
About $5-$10 per order (reported)
Refundable Tickets add-onOptional on eligible events; choose at checkout. Lets you cancel the whole order up to 48 hours before the event. The add-on charge itself is refunded only if the event is cancelled.Source:seatgeek.ca
Example given: 10% of the order
Seller feeFrom a 2023 company profile; check current rate.Source:research.contrary.com
15% of sale price (2023 report)

How a booking works

Who you pay
You pay SeatGeek; resale tickets come from third-party sellers, primary tickets from the team or venue using SeatGeek.
Guarantee
Buyer Guarantee: tickets arrive on time, are valid for entry and match your order, or SeatGeek offers comparable tickets, a refund or credit.
All-in pricing
Shows the price with mandatory fees (before taxes) early in checkout since May 2025, as the FTC fee rule requires.
Refunds
Cancelled with no new date: full refund or credit. Postponed/rescheduled: tickets valid for new date; refunds case by case. Optional Refundable Tickets add-on: cancel up to 48 hours before. Refunds post in 3-10 business days.

Common problems, and how to avoid them

1
Hard to reach supportCommonAvoid it: Use in-app help, keep screenshots of the order, and dispute with your card if a guaranteed refund isn't paid.Source:consumeraffairs.com
2
Credit instead of refundSometimesAvoid it: For a cancelled event, ask specifically for a refund to the original payment method.Source:consumeraffairs.com
3
Postponed event, can't attendSometimesAvoid it: Buy the Refundable Tickets add-on for trips, or plan to resell if the date moves.Source:seatgeek.ca

What customers say

“they won't assist you and will instead keep your money, forcing you to use it for future tickets.”
Jorge, Arlington, VA · ConsumerAffairs · 2024

Short excerpts from public reviews, chosen because they describe the patterns above. They are examples, not a sample.

Alternatives worth comparing

StubHub

The biggest resale marketplace; tickets nearly always come through, but its fee display and refund record have drawn regulators.

#4 of 6 · 42/100Vivid Seats

Chicago resale marketplace with a loyalty program and well-rated phone support; watch the fees and the rules for postponed shows.

#3 of 6 · 53/100

Questions people ask about SeatGeek

Is SeatGeek legit?

Yes. It is a New York company founded in 2009 and the official ticketing partner of many teams and venues. Its Trustpilot average is 4.4, but complaint sites report slow support.

Does SeatGeek refund cancelled events?

Yes: events cancelled with no new date get a refund or credit under the Buyer Guarantee. Postponed events are handled case by case.

Does SeatGeek show prices with fees?

Yes. Since May 2025 it shows the price including mandatory fees (before taxes) early in checkout.

Can I get a refund if I can't go?

Only if you bought the optional Refundable Tickets add-on, which lets you cancel up to 48 hours before the event. Otherwise resell the tickets.

Sources

Last checked October 16, 2026. Fees and policies change, so confirm on seatgeek.com before you book. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it in the open. We are not affiliated with SeatGeek and earn nothing from it.