Running a successful high-ticket dropshipping business eventually means you have money to spend on experiences. A Knicks game. A Broadway show in New York. A concert you’ve been waiting years to see. And if you’ve built any kind of cost-consciousness as an entrepreneur, you quickly notice that the ticket industry is one of the most fee-laden consumer categories in existence. StubHub adds 28-30% in service fees. Ticketmaster piles on facility charges and order processing fees that can push the total 40% above the listed price.
ScoreBig positions itself as the antidote to that model. Their pitch: all-inclusive pricing with no extra fees, no hidden costs, and free shipping. What you see at listing is what you pay at checkout. They also offer a bidding mechanic that lets you name your own price for tickets, potentially scoring seats significantly below market rate.
This is an independent review covering what ScoreBig is, the important history you need to know before buying, how the pricing and bidding really work, what real customers consistently experience (both good and bad), and how it stacks up against alternatives.
What Is ScoreBig?
ScoreBig (scorebig.com) is an online ticket marketplace for sports, concerts, theater, and family events in the United States. The platform covers NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, NCAA, WNBA, and MLS games; live music concerts; Broadway and touring theater productions; comedy shows; and other live events.
Founded in 2009 by Adam Kanner (former VP of marketing at the NBA) and Joel Milne, ScoreBig’s original model centered on working directly with promoters, venues, and teams to sell unsold ticket inventory at discounted prices. The company grew quickly – ranked No. 44 on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 in 2015 with 2,280% revenue growth – and raised $18 million in venture capital.
Critical history to know: The original ScoreBig Inc. went out of business in September-October 2016 and failed to deliver tickets to customers who had purchased them. As of December 12, 2016, ScoreBig.com was relaunched under new management – a subsidiary of TicketNetwork, a Connecticut-based ticket marketplace company. The subsidiary acquired select assets of the former company and now operates scorebig.com. The current site is a different business entity operating under the same brand name. This history is relevant context when evaluating trustworthiness.
The current ScoreBig is headquartered in South Windsor, Connecticut and operates as a ticket resale marketplace. Ticket prices on the platform are set by sellers; ScoreBig functions as the marketplace connecting buyers and sellers.
How ScoreBig Works
Two purchasing methods:
Fixed-price tickets: Browse the event catalog, find your event, select section and row, and buy at the listed price. Standard ticket marketplace experience.
Name Your Price (bidding): ScoreBig’s most distinctive feature. You choose an event, select a seating area (rated 1-6 stars), and enter what you’re willing to pay. A color-coded bar shows how likely your bid is to be accepted. If your bid is accepted, your card is charged and tickets are yours. If declined, you typically get one more bid attempt at the same seat tier; after a second decline you’re locked out of that tier for one hour but can bid on other seat categories. No charge if bid is declined.
This bidding system is closest to how Priceline works for hotel rooms – you name your price without knowing the exact seats in advance within a zone, and find out immediately whether it was accepted.
Delivery methods: Most tickets are delivered digitally via email, mobile delivery to your phone, or through third-party apps like AXS. Some events use physical shipping. Delivery method isn’t always explicit upfront, so check your confirmation email carefully.
Pricing: The All-Inclusive Model
ScoreBig’s core pricing claim is “No Extra Fees, No Hidden Costs, Free Shipping.” Their position against competitors is explicit: most ticket resale sites use drip pricing – showing a low price, then adding 28-42% in service fees, facility charges, and order processing at checkout. ScoreBig says the price you see listed is the price you pay.
This all-inclusive model is confirmed by many customer reviews. “Ordering was easy, price was all-inclusive (thank you very much for that – wish others did the same)” reflects a common positive sentiment. Multiple independent reviewers specifically praise the absence of surprise fees at checkout.
The practical experience for most buyers is that the final checkout price matches the listing price – which is meaningfully better than competitors who surprise you with fees at the final step.
Guarantee: 100% money-back guarantee if tickets don’t arrive before the event starts, plus a $100 ScoreBig credit. Full refund if an event is officially canceled and not rescheduled (tickets returned within 7 days).
No refunds for: event postponements, performer or lineup changes, or rescheduling due to weather, illness, or other conditions. This no-refund policy for postponements is a meaningful limitation worth reading before purchasing, especially for events with any uncertainty.
Payment: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal.
ScoreBig for Ecommerce Entrepreneurs and Digital Nomads
The direct connection between ScoreBig and ecommerce entrepreneurship is the lifestyle angle. Building a dropshipping business the right way – through proper business formation and systematic scaling – eventually means having real income to invest in experiences, not just tools. The cost-consciousness that makes you a better entrepreneur applies to personal spending too. If you’re going to a game, a concert, or a Broadway show while traveling for business or between supplier meetings, buying smart saves real money.
For digital nomads who move between US cities, ScoreBig’s nationwide coverage and all-inclusive pricing makes it worth checking before any major event purchase. Last-minute ticket buying is also a legitimate use case for busy entrepreneurs – ScoreBig specifically calls out last-minute availability as a core use case.
The bid-to-win mechanic rewards patience and flexibility – traits that good dropshipping entrepreneurs already have from negotiating with suppliers and managing inventory timing.
What Real Customers Say
According to ConsumerAffairs’ verified ScoreBig reviews, the customer experience is genuinely mixed. Positive reviews highlight the bidding mechanic delivering genuine savings, smooth checkout processes, and competitive pricing against StubHub and Vivid Seats. Multiple reviewers specifically praise Hamilton tickets purchased at prices cheaper than other sites. Negative reviews flag more serious issues: one documented case of $400+ tickets that couldn’t be scanned at the venue; another of tickets with someone else’s name on them that the venue would not honor.
According to Trustpilot’s ScoreBig reviews, the feedback similarly splits. Positive reviewers cite all-inclusive pricing, quick digital delivery, and easy purchasing. ScoreBig’s response on Trustpilot consistently notes that ticket pricing is the seller’s responsibility, and that all pricing is displayed before purchase completion.
According to SmartCustomer’s 256 ScoreBig reviews (3.4 stars overall), the most common positive mentions are great seats, pricing transparency, and good value vs face price. The most concerning negative review documents a 3-month wait for electronic tickets on a near-$500 purchase, with tickets delivered via AXS app rather than email without clear disclosure. The reviewer notes the emotional stress of uncertainty on a significant purchase outweighed the $20 savings vs other platforms. ShopperApproved (collected at point of purchase) shows a higher 4.6/5 from 5,898+ reviews, reflecting that the majority of completed purchases deliver on expectations.
Pros and Cons
What I like about ScoreBig:
All-inclusive pricing is the clearest differentiator. The ticket resale industry’s drip pricing problem is real – most competitors show one price and charge another at checkout. ScoreBig’s commitment to showing the final price upfront is consumer-friendly and worth real money on any significant purchase.
The Name Your Price bidding mechanic is genuinely unique in the ticket market and can deliver substantial savings, particularly on events with lower demand or where you have flexibility on seating tier.
Wide event catalog covering sports (NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, NCAA), concerts, Broadway, comedy, and family events across the US.
Interactive seat maps let you see exactly where you’ll be sitting before committing.
Digital/mobile delivery for most tickets is fast and eliminates physical shipping concerns for last-minute purchases.
100% money-back guarantee if tickets don’t arrive before the event. No charge if your bid isn’t accepted.
What I’d flag:
The 2016 bankruptcy of the original ScoreBig Inc. is relevant history. The current site operates under TicketNetwork, a different entity, but the brand had a significant trust incident. The relaunched service appears to have been operating legitimately since late 2016.
Smaller inventory than StubHub or SeatGeek. For major events with strong demand, the selection may be more limited.
Ticket delivery method isn’t always transparent upfront. Multiple reviews document situations where tickets were delivered via AXS app rather than email without clear upfront disclosure.
No refunds for postponements or performer changes. Standard in the resale industry but worth knowing before purchasing.
Customer service accessibility has been flagged in reviews as difficult at times – long hold times, after-hours unavailability. Phone: 1-877-726-7324 (7 days/week, 7am-1am EST).
US-only. No international events.
ScoreBig vs Alternatives
| Platform | Fees Model | Bidding | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ScoreBig | All-inclusive (no added fees) | Yes | Fee-conscious buyers, bidders |
| SeatGeek | Fees added at checkout | No | Largest selection, price comparison |
| StubHub | Fees added at checkout (~28-30%) | No | Widest inventory, established trust |
| TickPick | No buyer fees | No | Direct fee-free competitor to ScoreBig |
| Vivid Seats | Fees added at checkout | No | Loyalty rewards, wide selection |
| Ticketmaster | Fees added at checkout | No | Primary/face value tickets |
ScoreBig’s closest direct competitor on the no-fee model is TickPick, which also displays all-inclusive pricing without added buyer fees. For any given event, it’s worth comparing ScoreBig and TickPick simultaneously. SeatGeek is consistently recommended for largest selection and comparison shopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ScoreBig?
ScoreBig (scorebig.com) is an online ticket marketplace for sports, concerts, theater, and family events in the United States. Founded in 2009, the original company went bankrupt in 2016; the current site has operated since December 2016 under a TicketNetwork subsidiary. ScoreBig offers all-inclusive pricing (no extra fees, no hidden costs, free shipping) and a Name Your Price bidding feature. Covers NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, NCAA, concerts, Broadway, comedy. US events only. 100% money-back guarantee if tickets don’t arrive. Payment: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, PayPal.
Is ScoreBig legit?
The current ScoreBig.com is a legitimate ticket marketplace operating under TicketNetwork since late 2016. The majority of purchases result in valid tickets delivered as expected. The important context: the original ScoreBig Inc. went bankrupt in 2016 and failed to honor tickets – that company no longer exists. The current operation has received mostly positive reviews on ShopperApproved (4.6/5 from 5,898+ reviews), though scores on other platforms are more mixed. Exercise normal precautions for any resale ticket purchase.
How does ScoreBig’s bidding work?
Choose an event, select a seating area (1-6 stars), and enter your desired price. A color-coded probability bar shows your bid’s likelihood of acceptance. If accepted, your card is charged and tickets are yours immediately. If declined, you get one more attempt at the same tier; a second decline locks you out of that tier for one hour. You’re never charged for a declined bid. You can still bid on other seat tiers during a lockout period.
Does ScoreBig really have no fees?
ScoreBig displays all-inclusive prices – what you see is what you pay, with no added service fees or shipping charges at checkout. This is confirmed by many customer reviews and is the platform’s primary differentiator. The practical buyer experience: the final price matches the listed price, unlike competitors who add 28-42% at checkout.
What is ScoreBig’s refund policy?
100% refund if tickets don’t arrive before the event, plus $100 credit. Full refund if an event is officially canceled and not rescheduled (tickets returned within 7 days). No refunds for event postponements, performer/lineup changes, or rescheduling due to weather, illness, or other conditions.
How are ScoreBig tickets delivered?
Most tickets are delivered digitally – via email, mobile delivery to your phone, or through third-party apps like AXS. Some events use physical shipping. Delivery method isn’t always explicit upfront, so check your confirmation email carefully. Customer service: 1-877-726-7324, 7 days/week 7am-1am EST.
My Verdict on ScoreBig
ScoreBig earns a 7.0/10 for cost-conscious event-goers who want a fee-transparent ticket marketplace with a distinctive bidding option for scoring below-market deals.
The all-inclusive pricing model is real and genuinely valuable. The ticket resale industry’s drip pricing problem costs buyers hundreds of dollars on significant purchases – knowing your final price at the listing stage rather than at checkout is a legitimate consumer benefit. The Name Your Price bidding mechanic can deliver meaningful savings for flexible buyers willing to accept zone-based seating in exchange for a lower price.
The honest limitations: the 2016 bankruptcy history of the original company is worth knowing, even though the current site operates under different ownership. The smaller inventory vs StubHub and SeatGeek means you won’t always find what you’re looking for. Mixed customer service reviews and delivery transparency issues add friction. And TickPick offers a similar no-fee model worth comparing on any specific event.
Check ScoreBig first for the price, compare against TickPick and SeatGeek on the same event, and make your call based on the all-in numbers.
Use what you save on tickets to invest in your business with these free resources from Ecommerce Paradise:
- Free Beginner’s Guide to High-Ticket Dropshipping
- Free Mini Course
- Free High-Ticket Niches List
- Free Supplier Directory
Or if you want personalized guidance on building your ecommerce business, check out our private coaching program or join the Ecommerce Paradise community. I wish you guys the best of luck out there.
Trevor Fenner is an ecommerce entrepreneur and the founder of Ecommerce Paradise, a platform focused on helping entrepreneurs build and scale profitable high-ticket ecommerce and dropshipping businesses. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Trevor specializes in high-ticket dropshipping strategy, niche and product selection, supplier recruiting and onboarding, Google & Bing Shopping ads, ecommerce SEO, and systems-driven automation and scaling. Through Ecommerce Paradise, he provides free education via in-depth guides like How to Start High-Ticket Dropshipping, advanced training through the High-Ticket Dropshipping Masterclass, and fully done-for-you turnkey ecommerce services for entrepreneurs who want a faster, more hands-off path to growth. Trevor is known for emphasizing sustainable, real-world ecommerce models over hype-driven tactics, helping store owners build scalable, sellable, and location-independent brands.
