Where Do The Ticket Fees Go?

By Emory Bryan, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Ticket fees can add a lot to the cost of a concert or sports event. You may wonder what those fees are and who gets the money?

Whether it's a big concert or a hockey game, tickets to events at the BOK Center come with added fees. That's not unusual because promoters and venues have learned they can charge these extra fees for extra services, such as getting tickets online.

When Neil Diamond tickets went on sale back in May, people were so happy to get them that no one was complaining about the fees. But now that more tickets are selling for all kinds of events, more people are questioning the fees that can add 15% or more to the cost of the ticket.

For example, two good tickets to the Neil Diamond concert at the BOK Center cost $236. The Convenience Fee is $26.60, the Facility Fee is $4.00, and the Order Processing Fee is $3.75. That total comes to $270.35, including the $34.35 in fees.

Two tickets to a Tulsa Oilers game run $60.00, and the Fees are $16.75

Two tickets to see an orchestra at the Performing Arts Center run $50 and the fees are $7.

At the PAC, those fees pay for the ticketing system.

"They are charges added on to the price of the ticket and by contract we split that with our ticketing partner, tickets dot com, and they supply the system that runs the ticket sales," said John Scott of the Performing Arts Center.

Almost all venues charge some sort of fee on top of the ticket price, but almost all charge less if tickets are bought at the box office, instead of over the phone or online.

"The convenience fees that we charge here are only applicable if people buy tickets on the phone or the internet.  If people bother to come down, take the time to come down to the Performing Arts Center, they can buy those tickets with absolutely no fees tacked on," said Scott.

As for where the money goes, the convenience fee is split between the venue and ticketing company, while the facility and processing fee goes into operating the building or handling the transaction.

A lot of people don't like the fees, but it's become the price of admission for all kinds of events.