Spotify and SeatGeek Partner for In-App Concert Ticket Sales
▼ Summary
– SeatGeek has launched a new integration with Spotify, allowing users to see and buy tickets directly from an artist’s page or tour dates.
– This integration is currently limited to SeatGeek’s 15 major U.S. venue partners where it acts as the primary ticket seller.
– The partnership is a strategic move for SeatGeek to reach Spotify’s millions of active users and convert them into ticket buyers.
– SeatGeek faces strong competition from Ticketmaster and AXS, which dominate the market with long-term venue contracts.
– Spotify has previously helped artists generate over $1 billion in ticket sales and works with more than 45 ticketing partners.
A new partnership between Spotify and SeatGeek is making it easier for music fans to buy concert tickets directly within the streaming app. This integration allows users to see and purchase tickets for upcoming shows while browsing an artist’s profile or tour dates, creating a more seamless connection between discovering music and securing a seat at a live event.
The feature is currently available for a select group of major U.S. venues where SeatGeek operates as the primary ticket seller. This initial rollout includes 15 key venue partners such as State Farm Stadium in Arizona, Nissan Stadium in Tennessee, and AT&T Stadium in Texas. It’s important to note that while SeatGeek is widely known as a secondary marketplace, this specific integration is focused on venues where it holds the primary ticketing contract.
For SeatGeek, this move represents a significant strategic opportunity. Gaining direct placement within the Spotify app provides access to millions of engaged listeners at the precise moment they are exploring an artist’s work and upcoming tours. This environment is ideal for converting casual listeners into confirmed ticket buyers, potentially driving substantial sales volume.
The ticketing industry remains highly competitive, with dominant players like Ticketmaster and AXS controlling a large portion of the market through extensive, long-term venue agreements. Industry estimates suggest Ticketmaster alone handles ticketing for the majority of top-tier U.S. arenas. SeatGeek has faced challenges in securing these prime contracts, as evidenced by the brief partnership with Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, which reverted to Ticketmaster shortly after a switch.
Spotify’s foray into integrated ticketing is part of a broader initiative. The company recently reported that its platform has facilitated over $1 billion in ticket sales for artists by connecting fans with events through its network of more than 45 ticketing partners, which includes giants like Ticketmaster and AXS alongside other services.
This is not Spotify’s first attempt at in-app ticket sales; the streamer tested a similar direct sales feature in 2022. SeatGeek also has a history of integrating with popular apps, having previously partnered with Snapchat in 2018 to enable in-app purchases. The collaboration arrives as Spotify continues to demonstrate robust user growth, with recent earnings showing more than 750 million monthly active users and a steadfast focus on improving its profitability metrics.
(Source: TechCrunch)
