‘Getting out of hand’: Green Bay venues warn against secondary ticket sites, urge buying from official sources | WFRV
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) — Local entertainment venues in Green Bay are criticizing ticket broker sites and advising eventgoers to avoid purchasing tickets from secondary sources. The venues, all clients of TicketStar, claim these sites often impose hefty upcharges, create seating problems, and sometimes sell fraudulent tickets.
Terry Charles, communications manager for PMI Entertainment Group, emphasized the risks, stating, “It’s almost getting out of hand how many people are buying tickets from secondary sites at our venues for events that aren’t even sold out. Please make sure you’re buying from venue websites. Look for the word ‘official.’”
The four Green Bay area venues affected are the Resch Center, Meyer Theatre, Weidner Center, and Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center. They insist the only secure way to purchase tickets at face value is through their official websites and TicketStar.
Kate Williams, executive director of the Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center, recounted a recent issue: “This gentleman had purchased his tickets, and he wanted to know where his seat locations were. I wasn’t able to tell him because I didn’t know where he purchased his tickets from.”
The venues say the number of people mistakenly visiting secondary sites is rising, with many encountering inflated ticket prices. Charles noted the difficulty in measuring how much business is lost because of the steep prices on these sites.
“There’s no way for us to ever legitimize those tickets,” Charles said. “We can tell them that seat exists and that somebody bought it, but we can’t tell them that ticket is good.”
Venue leaders claim the issue has worsened over the last decade as national ticket brokers invest in search engine optimization and paid ads, making it difficult for local businesses to compete.
Meanwhile, LiveNation and its subsidiary, TicketMaster, are facing a federal lawsuit from the Justice Department, which alleges monopolization in the entertainment industry. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland discussed the case at a congressional hearing, highlighting efforts to prosecute fraud and challenge monopolies that increase consumer prices.
While TicketMaster and SeatGeek declined to comment, StubHub provided a statement defending its role. “At StubHub, we empower fans with flexibility and choice. Sellers set prices, allowing fans to choose tickets that fit their budget,” the company stated, citing its FanProtect Guarantee, which ensures entry or a refund.
