This guide answers: How many presale tiers should I run for a medium-sized US event?
We focus on real US market numbers — fees, payout timing, conversion, and door operations — so you can decide with a spreadsheet, not slogans. Tickean is one option if those numbers fit.
Independent promoters often need per-sale USD availability and clean mobile QR — without arena exclusive contracts.
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Know all-in fees
Organizer % + buyer fee, written down before on-sale.
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Payout timing
Post-event vs per sale — cash before show week matters.
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Door ops
Mobile QR and validated scan without rental hardware.
How it works
1
Map fees & payout
Write the real cost for your next date.
2
Compare 2–3 options
Include door scan and venue rules, not just %.
3
Run a pilot
50–150 tickets teach more than any landing page.
What to look for
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Flexible ticket types
GA, VIP, tables, early bird, and promo codes.
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Live dashboard
Sales, refunds, and scans in one view.
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Secure QR
Unique codes with duplicate-scan protection.
Direct answer: How many presale tiers should I run for a medium-sized US event?
To answer "How many presale tiers should I run for a medium-sized US event?", weigh three variables: all-in fees, when money hits your bank, and how tight your door scan flow is.
Run the math for your next show before you commit to a platform contract or on-sale date.
If you need per-ticket USD availability and branded checkout, Tickean is built for independent US producers — but venue rules come first.
US market benchmarks
Medium events (500–1,500 cap): 2–3 active price tiers typical.
More than four tiers confuses buyers and support.
Early bird usually 15%–25% of capacity.
Playbook you can run this week
• Tier 1: super early (10%–15% cap).
• Tier 2: presale (20%–30% cap).
• Tier 3: regular until sellout/door.
Ship a small pilot (50–150 tickets), measure conversion and payout, then scale.
Costly mistakes to avoid
Six micro-tiers with $1 differences.
Extending early bird after sellout messaging.
No auto-advance when tier sells out.
Options (including Tickean)
If your venue requires a specific vendor, follow that. If you control the sale, compare organizer fee, payout timing, and QR ops.
With Tickean: create your event, set tiers and capacity, publish one checkout link.
Buyers pay in USD; you receive funds per sale; they get QR tickets; scan from any phone browser — no proprietary hardware lease.
Fits many event types
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Concerts & clubs
Built for 200–5,000 cap rooms nationwide.
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Parties & nightlife
Fast launches with mobile-first checkout.
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Conferences
Multi-tier passes and session check-in.
Understand the real cost: 0% organizer fee.
0% organizer commission. Buyers pay a transparent service fee at checkout.