How much does MainGate cost?

Nothing for the organizer. Guests pay a flat $1.00 per ticket ($1.50 for reserved seats), or you can absorb it. There are no setup, monthly or contract fees. If your event is free, MainGate is free.

Can I switch from Ticketmaster in the middle of my season?

Yes. We set up your remaining dates for you, and we can bring over the tickets you've already sold so your gate checks everyone in with one scanner app.

Can I keep charging my guests the same total?

Yes. Keep your price where it is and add your own fee on top of ours. The difference goes to you instead of the ticketing company.

Ticket money goes to your own Stripe account as you sell, so you aren't waiting until after the event.

Ticketmaster alternative

A Ticketmaster alternative built for independent venues.

Ticketmaster's Universe says it takes 2% of your ticket sales plus almost 60 cents per ticket. MainGate is a flat $1.00 per ticket, $0 to you, with no long-term contract.

See how switching works Compare your fees

What your guests pay

Ticketmaster vs MainGate fees

Fee per ticket	Ticketmaster's Universe	MainGate
$40 ticket	$1.39	$1.00
$60 ticket	$1.79	$1.00
$100 ticket	$2.59	$1.00
10,000 tickets at $60	$17,900	$10,000

Ticketmaster's Universe: 2% + $0.59 per ticket, excluding payment processing, as published at www.universe.com (checked October 2026). Payment processing is left out for every platform; MainGate passes Stripe's standard 2.9% + $0.30 per order if you choose to. Reserved seats on MainGate are $1.50.

Why organizers switch

More than a lower fee

No long-term exclusive contract. Stay because it works.

A flat fee your guests can see up front, so the price on your poster is close to the price at checkout.

Seat maps and table maps built for you, sales by tier for artist payouts, and box office sales on the same system.

Your own Stripe account, so ticket money is yours as you sell.

Switch any time, even mid-season. We'll move your events over for you, and your first 2,000 tickets have no MainGate fee.

Questions

How much does MainGate cost?: Nothing for the organizer. Guests pay a flat $1.00 per ticket ($1.50 for reserved seats), or you can absorb it. There are no setup, monthly or contract fees. If your event is free, MainGate is free.
Can I switch from Ticketmaster in the middle of my season?: Yes. We set up your remaining dates for you, and we can bring over the tickets you've already sold so your gate checks everyone in with one scanner app.
Can I keep charging my guests the same total?: Yes. Keep your price where it is and add your own fee on top of ours. The difference goes to you instead of the ticketing company.
How do I get paid?: Ticket money goes to your own Stripe account as you sell, so you aren't waiting until after the event.

Ready to compare with your own numbers?

Create your free account and tap "Have Us Build It", or call us and we'll walk through it together.

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