Max SteventonA new study by ticket resale platform Tixel highlights challenges in the live entertainment industry, with purchasing decisions often driven by emotional strain, impulsive behaviour and digital risks.
Among Tixel’s findings, the most notable are the spending habits of young audiences. Factors like work commitments and financial caution are often secondary to live events. Specifically, 50% of 18–24-year-olds “admit to skipping work” to attend a live event. Furthermore, just over half (51%) purchase live events tickets without knowing if they can attend.
Buying tickets before knowing if they can attend is fuelling a surge in resales, with a quarter of people in the UK saying they have resold a ticket.
However, the increase in resale tickets has created emotional issues for consumers. Concerningly, one in 10 consumers have been scammed as a result of purchasing resale tickets, particularly on social media. Younger audiences are significantly more likely to be scammed with 31% of 18-24 year-olds reporting having had such an experience.
The study also found a generation gap in ticket purchasing. Nearly one in five Gen Z fans used three devices at once, with some using more than four. Among online queuers, 42% reported anxiety, 15% felt rage and 10% described existential dread, as post-pandemic demand and crowded digital queues make the process more stressful.
Tixel UK/EU director at Tixel Matt Kaplan said, “These findings show that live events are no longer just entertainment. They are emotionally charged, high-value experiences that people are willing to put ahead of work, relationships, and even their bank balance.
“This research really shows how much the value of live experiences is shifting in the UK. It’s clear that we need ticketing solutions that match both the passion people feel and the pressures they’re under.”