Illicit traders aim to purchase tickets using automated software
In the world of live entertainment, Eventim, a publicly traded company and the second-largest ticket vendor globally, is making strides to ensure fair ticket distribution during major events. The company, which organises concerts, theater performances, and sporting events, has implemented a comprehensive approach to combat ticket touting.
Eventim's key methods include strict purchase limits, device and identity linking, the use of mobile digital tickets, fraud and bot detection, and ticket security recommendations. For instance, in the Ed Sheeran 2025 tour managed by Eventim, there is a limit of 6 tickets per person per event to prevent bulk buying by scalpers.
When purchasing tickets at Eventim’s electronic ticket offices, purchases must be linked to a specific device and a unique personal identifier, preventing the use of multiple devices or identities for buying more tickets than allowed. The tickets are linked to a user account on a mobile device, making it harder to resell or transfer tickets illicitly.
Eventim monitors transactions for behaviours indicating bot usage or duplicate accounts designed to circumvent ticket limits. Suspicious purchases are cancelled to maintain fairness. Buyers are also advised to protect tickets from copying and sharing on social media or third parties to prevent fraud.
Last year, Eventim temporarily suspended the resale of Taylor Swift tickets following a cyberattack. Despite this, the number of unauthorized resales was a low double-digit number. Eventim's decision to build its own ticket resale platform (Fansale) was a response to issues like usury, abuse, and fraud on unauthorized secondary market platforms.
While the extent of ticket scalping is unknown, Eventim can prevent such purchases on its platform. Private ticket resale is generally allowed in Germany, but Event promoters can prohibit commercial resale. It's worth noting that automate bot requests occur at all events, particularly at large sporting events like the Olympics and when prominent artists like Ed Sheeran perform.
Eventim operates venues like the Waldbühne in Berlin, and Fansale operates at cost. It's important to remember that while specific anti-touting technologies and enforcement may vary by region, Eventim’s global strategies emphasize limiting ticket hoarding and ensuring ticket validity and security.
Despite these efforts, it's clear that ticket scalping, or the practice of buying tickets to resell at high prices, is prevalent. However, Eventim's commitment to fair ticket distribution and combating ticket touting sets a positive example for the live entertainment industry.
- Eventim, known for its involvement in sports, concerts, and theater performances, has applied cybersecurity measures to its technology, such as devices linking, fraud detection, and mobile digital ticket use, to prevent scalping and ensure fair ticket distribution in the realm of live entertainment.
- In the wake of a cyberattack on its platform, Eventim established Fansale, a ticket resale platform that aims to combat issues like usury, abuse, and fraud prevalent in unauthorized secondary market platforms, demonstrating its commitment to technology and sports, as well as cybersecurity.
