Sports Events Tickets Market Size, Growth, Global Trends, Forecast 2034

Sports Events Tickets Industry Perspective:

The global sports events tickets market size was worth around USD 20.56 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 74.25 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 13.70% between 2025 and 2034.

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Key Insights:

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global sports events tickets market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 13.70% over the forecast period (2025-2034)
• In terms of revenue, the global sports events tickets market size was valued at around USD 20.56 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 74.25 billion by 2034.
• The sports events tickets market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to the rising popularity worldwide.
• Based on the sports, the soccer segment is growing at a high rate and will continue to dominate the global market as per industry projections.
• Based on the ticket type, the digital tickets segment is anticipated to command the largest market share.
• Based on region, North America is projected to dominate the global market during the forecast period.

Sports Events Tickets Market: Overview

Sports event tickets are physical or digital credentials that grant access to the event to ticket holders. Sport tickets are essential for entering a sports venue or accessing digital portals hosting exclusive events. These tickets typically contain critical information related to the sports event and the ticket holder. For instance, the common information printed on the tickets includes the name of the event, date, venue, and allotted seats. The main purpose of sports event tickets is to grant access to live games, such as cricket, football, and others, at the venue. Sports event tickets are sold in various formats. For instance, the printed form of the tickets is the most common type of ticket sold in the market, followed by digital tickets obtained from online portals.

In addition to this, premium tickets provide exclusive access to behind-the-scenes of a sporting event, such as meeting the players before or after the play. The demand for sports event tickets is growing at an unprecedented rate, driven by rising sports popularity worldwide. Additionally, growing sports tourism as well as the rising popularity of digital tickets will promote market expansion in the long run. A major drawback for the industry is the growing rate of ticket fraud worldwide, especially in the form of secondary ticket

Sports Events Tickets Market Dynamics

Growth Drivers

Rising sports popularity worldwide is expected to promote market expansion in the long run

The global sports event tickets market is expected to grow due to the growing popularity of sports across the globe. Conventionally popular games, such as soccer and cricket, continue to garner more spectators. However, in the last few years, less-exposed regional games have also gained significant momentum among both domestic and international sports enthusiasts. Sports popularity is driven by multiple positive factors. For instance, sports awareness has improved over the years due to a higher rate of streaming through different channels. Moreover, influential athletes have played a crucial role in endorsing the sports and generating public awareness.

According to recent reports, in November 2023, soccer star Lionel Messi was the most influential factor for around 1 million soccer fans in the US to watch the Leagues Cup. Messi played for Inter Miami during the tournament. Sports popularity is also influenced by changing consumer lifestyles, with a high inclination toward urban activities, such as sporting events. Other factors, such as increased sports marketing and the launch of new game formats or tournaments, will help promote demand for tickets, allowing access to live sports events.

Is the increasing sports tourism expected to remain an influential factor for the sports events ticket market growth?

Sports tourism refers to domestic or international traveling undertaken by individuals for the purpose of watching sport-related events. According to recent market trends, sports tourism across the globe has grown at a steady pace. In addition to this, regional governments have played a critical role in developing the necessary infrastructure to attract sports tourists not only from domestic markets but also international fans.

For instance, in 2026, the FIFA World Cup will be held in North America and will be jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the US. The event is expected to draw a large number of international travelers to North America. The global sports event tickets market will flourish as sporting events gain global attention and influence sports tourism, facilitated by the effective infrastructure built by private companies and government institutions.

Restraints

Economic uncertainty and growing ticket prices will affect market revenue in the long run

The global sports events tickets industry is projected to be restricted due to the growing economic uncertainty worldwide. Rising inflation rate and cost of living may impact demand for premium and expensive sports event tickets. Furthermore, demand for high-value tickets for sports is relatively low in poor economies or nations affected by social-political turmoil. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and other armed conflicts may impact market revenue in the long run.

Opportunities

Will increasing the sale of tickets through digital channels open new growth opportunities for sports events tickets industry players?

The global sports events tickets market is projected to generate growth opportunities due to the rising sales of digital tickets. In the last few years, several online companies have emerged across the globe, improving access to sports event tickets. In August 2024, Zomato, an India-based online food delivery company, announced the launch of its new adventure in the form of a secondary market for event ticketing. The original Zomato portal is now equipped with the ‘Book Now, Sell Anytime’ feature. It will enable users to purchase event tickets through the application and sell them on the platform as needed.

In a recent event, SI Tickets, a leading fan-first ticketing site owned by Sports Illustrated, launched ‘Box Office by SI Tickets’. It is a self-service, novel event management and primary ticketing solution. Box Office by SI Tickets is built in collaboration with ConsenSys, a web3 leader, and is currently powered by blockchain technology by Polygon. The growing use of next-generation solutions in developing digital tickets offering higher security will further help the industry thrive in the coming years. Some of the latest advancements in sports event tickets include the use of non-fungible token (NFT)-based tickets, dynamic pricing, and smart entry features.

Challenges

Does the growing cases of ticket fraud worldwide challenge the sports events tickets market growth rate?

The global sports event tickets industry is projected to be challenged by the growing cases of ticket fraud across the globe. According to recent statistics, ticket-related fraud is expected to cost more than EUR 69 million per year in the UK in the coming years, as live events in the region are projected to increase in number. The increasing use of sophisticated technology by ticket fraudsters will further impact market revenue as managing ticket scams becomes a complicated process.

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Sports Events Tickets Market: Report Scope

Sports Events Tickets Market: Segmentation

The global sports events tickets market is segmented based on sports, ticket type, and region.

Based on the sports, the global market segments are baseball, cricket, American football, soccer, golf, wrestling & combat sports, ice hockey, motorsports, watersports, and others. In 2024, the soccer segment experienced the highest growth, accounting for nearly 32% of the total revenue. The growing popularity of soccer not only in European but also in non-European nations is helping promote segmental expansion. Furthermore, cricket continues to remain a crucial revenue generator, especially with the launch of new cricketing formats as T-20 games.

Based on the ticket type, the global industry is fragmented into VIP/corporate hospitality tickets, digital tickets, paper tickets, group tickets, subscription tickets, and secondary tickets. In 2024, around 45% of the final returns on investment (ROI) were recorded in the digital tickets segment. The ease of obtaining digital tickets for sports events is one of the primary factors for a higher segmental growth rate. Moreover, increasing lucrative discount options on digital portals selling sports tickets will propel segmental revenue in the future.

Sports Events Tickets Market: Regional Analysis

What factors help North America to take the lead in the sports events tickets market during the forecast period?

The global sports events tickets market is expected to be led by North America during the forecast period. It held prominence over 50% of global revenue in 2024, and similar trends are anticipated in the future. The regional dominance is a result of the higher popularity of major sporting events such as ice hockey, American football, and basketball, among others.

Furthermore, the presence of state-of-the-art stadiums and sports event-hosting facilities across North America further helps the region thrive. As per the latest findings, the US is expected to register the construction of around 7 massive sports stadiums in the coming years. In April 2025, reports emerged suggesting that the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL), USA, will return to the US capital once the $4 billion stadium is completed by 2030.

Asia-Pacific is another major revenue generator in the sports events tickets industry. The region is home to a growing consumer market registering increasing disposable income and changing lifestyles. The rising popularity of major sports events across the Asia-Pacific region will propel its growth rate. Moreover, increasing demand for primary digital tickets will fuel higher revenue in the Asia-Pacific. Regional governments are increasingly investing in upgrading sports infrastructure in the region, anticipating a higher number of sports tourists.

Sports Events Tickets Market: Competitive Analysis

The global sports events tickets market is led by players like:

• Vivid Seats
• Ticketmaster
• StubHub
• Gametime
• TicketNetwork
• Viagogo
• CTS Eventim
• AXS
• Live Nation Entertainment
• Vivid Seats (already included)
• RazorGator
• SeatGeek
• Tickets.com
• Ticketek
• TickPick

The global sports events tickets market is segmented as follows:

By Sports

• Baseball
• Cricket
• American Football
• Soccer
• Golf
• Wrestling & Combat Sports
• Ice Hockey
• Motorsports
• Watersports
• Others

By Ticket Type

• VIP/Corporate Hospitality Tickets
• Digital Tickets
• Paper Tickets
• Group Tickets
• Subscription Tickets
• Secondary Tickets

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa