Your Everyday Brands Journey in Web3: Ticketmaster

Revolutionizing Ticketing with NFTs

Jide Ke'elekun
4 min readOct 18, 2023

Web3 is a blossoming field where brands are happily eager to delve in and pluck rewards. Hence, we will be exploring the journey of several brands that have delved into this blossoming field, and in this edition, we will be going through the journey of a company that has revolutionized ticketing both in and out of Web3.

So here’s Ticketmaster, the world’s largest ticketing website, which has embarked on an innovative journey into the realm of Web3 technology, bringing about a revolutionary change in the way we purchase and experience live events. Ticketmaster has been at the forefront of integrating Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) into the ticketing industry. Let’s dive into Ticketmaster’s remarkable Web3 initiatives, spanning from 2021 to 2023.

2021: Pioneering NFL NFT Collectibles

In 2021, Ticketmaster partnered with the National Football League (NFL) to provide fans with complimentary digital collectibles during the 2021 NFL season. This initiative allowed football fans to receive digital collectible NFTs for select games, extending from Thanksgiving through the end of the 2021 NFL season. Among the notable highlights, fans were awarded these digital collectibles during the historic Thanksgiving Day matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. These NFTs became lasting mementos of the games fans attended, allowing them to share their experiences with friends and family online. This ripe fruit well picked with success laid the foundation for Ticketmaster’s future endeavors in the Web3 space.

“Leveraging the emerging world of NFTs is a new and exciting way for us to create additional value and to further engage with NFL fans who attend select games by providing a commemorative digital collectible NFT.” — Bobby Gallo, SVP of Club Business Development at the NFL.

2022: NFT Ticketing

In 2022, Ticketmaster played a pioneering role in introducing NFT tickets for Super Bowl LVI, held in Los Angeles on February 13, 2022. This was an exceptional event, as it marked the first full-capacity Super Bowl with complete mobile ticketing. Ticketmaster, in partnership with the National Football League (NFL) again, offered attendees a unique and memorable experience by providing customized NFTs. Fans who attended received a complimentary NFT that featured their unique section, row, and seat, serving as digital keepsakes.

In the later part of 2022, Ticketmaster embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration with Flow, a blockchain platform known for hosting NBA Top Shots. This collaboration aimed to bring NFT technology to live events, allowing event goers to unlock unique experiences before, during, and after major events.

2023: Extending the NFL Partnership

In 2023, Ticketmaster extended its partnership with the National Football League (NFL) to issue NFT tickets for an impressive 100 select NFL games. Notably, this extension covered high-profile matchups such as the New England vs. Buffalo game and the San Francisco vs. Dallas game.

2023: Launching Token-Gated Ticket Sales

In 2023, with its earlier success, Ticketmaster further delved into the world of Web3 by launching token-gated ticket sales. This pioneering move allowed artists to sell tickets to specific events or experiences exclusively to the holders of their NFTs. One prominent example is the collaboration with Avenged Sevenfold, a heavy metal band, and their fan club known as the Death Bats Club. This partnership enabled NFT holders to gain priority access to tickets and reserved seating, bypassing queues. The Avenged Sevenfold initiative was instrumental in pushing the Ticketmaster integration forward and showcased the potential of NFTs in granting fans unique experiences. The launch of token-gated ticket sales was a first for the ticketing industry, demonstrating Ticketmaster’s commitment to innovation and its ability to super-serve fans.

Also in 2023, Ticketmaster continued to push the boundaries of Web3 technology by allowing event organizers to issue their own NFTs. This move was pivotal, as it granted event organizers increased flexibility and control over their ticketing processes.

What is Ticketmaster’s Web3 Revolution?

Ticketmaster, being a household name in the live event industry, has wholeheartedly embraced the potential of Web3 technology, revolutionizing the ticketing experience. By introducing token-gated ticket sales, partnering with blockchain platforms like Flow, and extending their NFL partnership, Ticketmaster has paved the way for NFTs to become an integral part of the live event experience.

In conclusion, Ticketmaster’s journey into Web3 is a testament to its dedication to enhancing the live event experience for fans, artists, and event organizers alike. This integration of NFTs into ticketing has fully demonstrated the vast potential of blockchain technology in the future of the ticketing industry. Ticketmaster’s Web3 revolution is an exciting leap into the future, where the possibilities for creating unforgettable live event experiences are boundless.

--

--

Jide Ke'elekun

△The Copy Writing Guy △ Branding Strategist Onboarding the next set of users into the future!