Some sports promoters allot batches of tickets to the Ticket Reserve, an online futures market that in turn sells the tickets to the public. The site sells contracts for the right to buy tickets at face value, with the contract prices changing as demand varies over time.
In mid March, Tammy and Michael Hart of Wexford, Pa., bought four contracts from the Ticket Reserve. Each contract gave them the right to buy a ticket for both the semi-final and the championship games of the NCAA men's basketball tournament if the UCLA Bruins made it that far. Had the Bruins faltered, the Harts would've been out their money, which was $41 per contract. Pity the Duke and UConn fans who cut the same deal.
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | How to Score Great Tickets |
| Row 1 - Cell 0 | SLIDE SHOW: Hottest Tickets for Summer |
| Row 2 - Cell 0 | Futures Markets for Sports Tickets |
But, of course, the Bruins made it to the championship game, so the Harts' gamble paid off. They paid the $170 face value for each ticket for both games (they also took their 6-year-old son and Tammy's father). Scalpers were hawking comparable seats for each game at about three times the price the Harts had paid.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The Ticket Reserve, launched in December 2003, and its upstart rival, YooNew.com, are the two ticket futures markets that sell contracts for major sporting events. Later this summer, the Ticket Reserve will introduce a futures market for concert tours. For a fee, you'll be able to guess which city a major musical act might visit, and if your guess is correct you'll be able to buy face-value tickets for concerts in that city.
That sounds like a sucker's bet to us, but give the Ticket Reserve credit for finding an ingenious way to capitalize on our blind devotion to our favorite groups and our hometowns -- and a fresh method to inflate ticket prices.
-
My First $1 Million: Self-Employed Trader, 50, San FranciscoEver wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
Think You Know How to Be Happy in Retirement? These 9 Stats May Surprise YouWhen it comes to your retirement happiness, don't believe everything you hear. We've turned to solid research for the facts on finding your bliss in retirement.
-
If You're Retired or Soon to Be, Don't Miss These Tax BreaksThe OBBB offers some tax advantages that are particularly beneficial for retirees and near-retirees. But they're available for only a limited time.
-
21 Last-Minute Gifts for Grandparents Day 2025 to Give Right NowHoliday Tips Last-minute gifting is never easy. But here are some ideas to celebrate Grandparents Day.
-
Texas Sales Tax-Free Weekend 2025Tax Holiday Here's what you needed to know about the Texas sales tax holiday.
-
Alabama Tax-Free Weekend 2025Tax Holiday Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 back-to-school Alabama sales tax holiday.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
The Sweet 23: States Where Twix and Kit Kat Avoid the ‘Candy Tax’State Taxes There’s something spooky this Halloween, and it’s not just the ghouls. Find out if your state’s sales tax takes a bite out of sweet savings.
-
Florida Back-to-School Tax-Free Holiday 2025Sales Taxes The new tax-free holiday in Florida brought month-long savings on computers, clothing and other school supplies.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to save for retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2026 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
