Eventbrite Pricing 2026: Complete Fee Breakdown & Cost Calculator

Last updated: January 14, 2026

Understanding Eventbrite pricing is crucial before committing to the platform. With service fees, payment processing charges, Pro plan subscriptions, and region-specific pricing variations, calculating your true costs can be complex.

This comprehensive guide breaks down every aspect of Eventbrite's pricing structure in 2026—from exact fee calculations to Pro plan tiers and country-specific charges—giving you the clarity you need to make an informed decision.

Quick Summary: Eventbrite Pricing 2026

Key Update 2026: Eventbrite discontinued the Flex plan and now offers unlimited free event publishing regardless of size.

Understanding Eventbrite's Fee Structure

Eventbrite charges two separate fees on paid tickets:

1. Service Fee

The Service Fee is Eventbrite's platform charge:

US Pricing:

• 3.7% of ticket price + $1.79 per ticket

This fee covers access to Eventbrite's platform, marketplace listing, ticketing system, and basic features.

2. Payment Processing Fee

The Payment Processing Fee covers credit card and payment handling:

US Pricing:

• 2.9% per order (not per ticket)

This fee is calculated on the total ticket price and is charged once per transaction, regardless of how many tickets are purchased in that order.

Real Cost Examples: What You Actually Pay

Let's calculate the exact costs for different ticket prices:

Example 1: $50 Ticket

Service Fee:

• Percentage: $50 × 3.7% = $1.85
• Flat fee: $1.79
• Total Service Fee: $3.64

Payment Processing Fee:

• $50 × 2.9% = $1.45

Total Eventbrite Fee: $5.09 (10.18% of ticket price)

What attendee pays: $55.09

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Example 2: $25 Ticket

Service Fee:

• Percentage: $25 × 3.7% = $0.93
• Flat fee: $1.79
• Total Service Fee: $2.72

Payment Processing Fee:

• $25 × 2.9% = $0.73

Total Eventbrite Fee: $3.45 (13.8% of ticket price)

What attendee pays: $28.45

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Example 3: $100 Ticket

Service Fee:

• Percentage: $100 × 3.7% = $3.70
• Flat fee: $1.79
• Total Service Fee: $5.49

Payment Processing Fee:

• $100 × 2.9% = $2.90

Total Eventbrite Fee: $8.39 (8.39% of ticket price)

What attendee pays: $108.39

Key Insight: Lower Ticket Prices = Higher Fee Percentage

Notice how the percentage fee increases as ticket prices decrease. For a $25 ticket, fees are 13.8%, while a $100 ticket has 8.39% in fees. The flat $1.79 service fee has a bigger impact on lower-priced tickets.

Cost Comparison: 100 Tickets Sold

Who Pays the Fees?

By default, attendees pay the ticketing fees on top of the ticket price. However, as an organizer, you can choose to:

1. Pass fees to attendees (Default) - Attendee pays ticket price + fees
2. Absorb fees yourself - You pay fees from your ticket revenue

Most organizers pass fees to attendees to maximize revenue, but absorbing fees can simplify pricing and improve the attendee experience.

Free Events: What Does It Cost?

Good news: If your event is completely free, there are zero Eventbrite fees. You can publish unlimited free events and collect RSVPs without any charges.

This makes Eventbrite an excellent option for:

• Community meetups
• Free workshops
• Networking events
• Nonprofit gatherings
• Registration-only events

Our #1 Pick for Low-Fee Ticketing is TixFox.co

TixFox.co

Why TixFox is a Better Value:

While Eventbrite charges complex variable fees (3.7% + $1.79 + 2.9%), TixFox offers simple, flat pricing:

Real Savings Example: For 200 tickets at $30 each:

• Eventbrite fees: $700
• TixFox fees: $78
• You save: $622 (89% less)

Try TixFox Free →

Eventbrite Pro Plans: Email Marketing Add-On

Eventbrite offers Pro plans for organizers who want advanced email marketing capabilities:

Pro Plan Tiers (US Pricing)

What's Included in Pro Plans

• Advanced email marketing tools
• Custom email campaigns
• Increased daily email limits
• Priority 24/7 chat support
• Access to marketing analytics
• Custom event branding

Who Needs a Pro Plan?

You may benefit from a Pro plan if you:

• Host multiple events per year
• Need robust email marketing capabilities
• Want to build and engage an audience
• Require priority support

Note: Pro plans are separate from ticketing fees. You still pay ticketing fees on top of the monthly Pro subscription.

Nonprofit Discounts

Nonprofits receive:

• 50% off all Pro plans
• Discounted fees on donation tickets
• Access to fundraising tools

Eventbrite Pricing by Country

Eventbrite's fees vary significantly by region, which can be confusing for international event organizers.

Service Fee Comparison

Impact on International Events

The UK has the highest service fee at 6.95%, nearly double the US rate. For a £50 ticket in the UK:

UK Calculation:

• Service Fee: £50 × 6.95% + £0.59 = £4.06
• Payment Processing: £50 × 2.9% = £1.45
• Total Fee: £5.51 (11.02%)

Compare this to a $50 US ticket at 10.18%—UK organizers pay approximately 8% more in relative fees.

On-Site Ticketing Fees: Different Charges at the Door

If you sell tickets at your event using Eventbrite's Organizer app or at-the-door sales, different fees apply:

US On-Site Fees

• Service Fee: $1.00 per paid ticket (flat rate, no percentage)
• Payment Processing: 2.9% per order (credit card only)

Important: The $1.00 service fee applies to both cash and credit card sales. Only credit card transactions incur the additional 2.9% processing fee.

On-Site Fee Example

For a $50 ticket sold at the door with a credit card:

• Service Fee: $1.00
• Processing Fee: $50 × 2.9% = $1.45
• Total Fee: $2.45 (4.9%)

This is significantly lower than online fees ($5.09), making on-site sales more cost-effective from a fee perspective.

International On-Site Fees

Pro Tip: If you want to minimize fees, consider encouraging at-the-door ticket sales. However, this sacrifices the convenience and marketing benefits of online pre-sales.

Eventbrite's Pricing History: 11 Changes Since 2007

Understanding Eventbrite's pricing evolution helps you anticipate future changes:

Major Pricing Milestones

2007-2016: Early Growth Phase

• Started with 2.5% + $0.99 per ticket
• Fee cap at $9.95 protected high-ticket events
• Relatively stable pricing

2016: Fee Cap Doubled

• After $60M funding round, fee cap increased from $9.95 to $19.95
• First major price increase

2017: Per-Ticket Fee Doubled

• Months after $134M Series G funding
• Per-ticket fee jumped from $0.99 to $1.99
• Service fee increased to 3.5%

2018: Post-IPO Adjustments

• Following $200M IPO, additional fee adjustments
• Platform matured with higher costs

2021: On-Site Fees Introduced

• Added $1.00 fee for door sales
• Applied to both cash and credit card transactions

March 2023: Triple Fee Increase

• Service fee: 3.5% → 3.7%
• Per-ticket fee: $1.59 → $1.79
• Processing fee: 2.5% → 2.9%
• Removed Essentials plan in North America

August 2023: Subscription Model Introduced

• Launched Flex and Pro monthly plans
• Fees ranged from $9.99-$49.99 per event (Flex)
• Monthly subscriptions $29-$159 (Pro)
• Eliminated fee refunds on cancellations

September 2023: 25-Ticket Free Event Limit

• Introduced organizer fees for free events >25 attendees
• Major backlash from community organizers
• Effectively ended truly free tier

2024: Backtracking and Restructuring

• Removed 25-ticket limit after criticism
• Unlimited free event publishing restored
• Flex plan discontinued
• Simplified Pro plans to $15-$100/month tiers
• Increased on-site fees to $1 + 2.9%

2026: Current Structure

• Maintained 3.7% + $1.79 + 2.9% fee structure
• Pro plans focus on email marketing
• Fee cap permanently removed
• No refunds on fees for cancellations

Key Takeaway: Expect More Changes

Eventbrite has changed pricing 11 times in 19 years. The pattern shows:

• Fee increases often follow funding rounds or IPO
• Caps get removed over time
• Subscription models gain prominence
• Organizer-friendly policies get rolled back

Refund and Cancellation Policy: Fees Are Non-Refundable

A critical 2023 policy change that many organizers miss:

What Changed in August 2023

Before August 2023:

• If you refunded a ticket, Eventbrite refunded their service fees
• You only lost the payment processing fees

After August 2023:

• Eventbrite fees are completely non-refundable
• When you refund a ticket, you pay the full ticket price back to the attendee
• Eventbrite keeps their service and processing fees
• You absorb 100% of the loss

Real-World Impact

Example: You sell 100 tickets at $50 each, then cancel the event.

Ticket revenue: $5,000 Eventbrite fees collected: $509 Amount sent to you: $4,491

When you refund attendees:

• You must refund: $5,000 (full ticket price)
• Eventbrite returns to you: $4,491
• Your loss: $509 (you pay Eventbrite fees out of pocket)

Exceptions to Non-Refundable Fees

Eventbrite will refund fees only in two cases:

1. Event was never published - If you created tickets but never made the event live
2. Account closed within 14 days - New accounts can request refunds within 14 days of signing up

Otherwise, fees are final.

How This Affects Your Risk

This policy significantly increases your financial risk as an organizer:

• Weather-dependent outdoor events
• Events with uncertain attendance
• Multi-date events that may need cancellations
• Events in volatile political/health environments

You're essentially paying for Eventbrite's service even if the service (the event) never happens.

Hidden Costs to Consider

Beyond standard ticketing fees, consider these additional costs:

1. Eventbrite Ads (Optional)

• Paid advertising to promote your event
• Costs vary based on budget and reach
• Separate from ticketing fees

2. Third-Party Integrations

• Some integrations may have additional costs
• CRM connections, email tools, analytics platforms

3. On-Site Fees

If you use Eventbrite's on-site check-in and badge printing:

• Equipment rental may apply
• Additional support fees

4. Currency Conversion

International events may incur:

• Currency exchange fees
• International payment processing charges

5. Reserved Seating

Eventbrite offers a reserved seating feature at no additional platform fee, but:

• You may need to spend time creating seating charts
• Premium seating management tools may have costs
• More complex setup than general admission

What It Includes:

• Drag-and-drop seating chart creator
• Section/row/seat assignments
• Interactive seat selection for attendees
• Multiple pricing tiers per section

Good for: Theaters, concert halls, galas, seated dinners

6. Add-Ons and Merchandise

You can sell extras alongside tickets (t-shirts, parking, VIP upgrades):

• Same fees apply - 3.7% + $1.79 + 2.9% per add-on item
• Each add-on is treated like a separate ticket
• Can bundle multiple add-ons per order

Example: $30 ticket + $20 t-shirt + $10 parking

• Ticket fees: $3.41
• T-shirt fees: $2.93
• Parking fees: $2.22
• Total fees: $8.56 (14.3% of $60 total)

Add-ons increase revenue but also compound fees.

7. Sales Tax Collection

Eventbrite can collect and remit sales tax on your behalf:

• Available in US states requiring sales tax on tickets
• You configure tax rate in event settings
• Tax is added on top of ticket price and fees
• Eventbrite handles tax reporting in some jurisdictions

Important: Sales tax is calculated on the ticket price, not on fees. However, some states require tax on the full amount including fees.

8. Instant Payouts (Premium Feature)

Standard payouts take 5-7 days, but Eventbrite offers Instant Payouts:

• Withdraw funds to your bank within minutes
• Additional fee applies (typically 1-2% of withdrawal)
• Useful for cash flow management
• Not available in all countries

Payout Schedule: When You Actually Get Paid

Understanding Eventbrite's payout timing is crucial for cash flow:

Standard Payout Schedule

For One-Time Events:

• Payouts begin 5 business days after the event ends
• Then continue on a rolling basis until all ticket sales are paid out
• Final payout typically 5-7 days post-event

For Recurring Events:

• First payout: 5 days after the first occurrence
• Ongoing payouts: Every 5-7 days

Scheduled Payouts (Custom)

You can set up custom payout schedules:

• Weekly: Every Wednesday, Friday, etc.
• Bi-weekly: Every other week on chosen day
• Monthly: Once per month
• On-demand: Request early payout for specific events

Requirements:

• Must have payment history with Eventbrite
• Account in good standing
• May have minimum balance requirements

Instant Payout Option

For urgent cash needs:

• Withdraw custom amounts from event balance
• Receive funds within minutes to hours
• Requires instant payout eligibility
• Additional fees apply (1-2% of amount)

Example: $5,000 instant payout

• Standard wait: 5-7 days, $0 fee
• Instant payout: 30 minutes, $50-$100 fee

Comparison: Eventbrite vs TixFox Payouts

TixFox's instant payouts give you immediate access to funds without additional charges—a significant advantage for smaller organizers.

Multiple Ticket Types and Pricing Strategies

Eventbrite allows sophisticated ticket pricing, but fees apply to every ticket type:

Common Ticket Type Strategies

1. Early Bird Tickets

• Lower price for early purchasers
• Creates urgency and early cash flow
• Fees still apply per ticket

Example:

• Early Bird: $40 (fees: $4.43)
• Regular: $50 (fees: $5.09)
• Late/At Door: $60 (fees: $5.75)

2. VIP/Premium Tiers

• Higher-priced tickets with perks
• Better fee percentage (lower relative cost)
• Popular for conferences and festivals

3. Group Discounts

• Discounted rates for bulk purchases
• Can create "Buy 4, Get 5th Free" deals
• Fees apply to each paid ticket

4. Student/Senior/Military Discounts

• Verification required or honor system
• Fees proportional to discounted price

Discount Codes and Promo Codes

Eventbrite offers flexible discount code options:

Discount Types:

• Percentage off: 10%, 25%, 50% off
• Fixed amount: $5 off, $10 off
• Access codes: Unlock hidden ticket types
• Buy X Get Y: Purchase bundles

Important: Fees are calculated on the discounted price, not the original price.

Example: $50 ticket with 20% off code

• Discounted price: $40
• Fees: 3.7% + $1.79 + 2.9% of $40 = $4.43
• Total: $44.43

Should You Absorb Fees or Pass Them to Attendees?

This is one of the most common questions organizers face.

Pass Fees to Attendees (Default):

✅ Pros:

• You receive full ticket price
• Maximizes your revenue
• Industry standard practice
• Attendees expect it

❌ Cons:

• Higher final price may deter purchases
• Less transparent pricing
• Attendees may abandon cart at checkout

Absorb Fees Yourself:

✅ Pros:

• Simpler, cleaner pricing
• "$50" means $50 to attendee
• Better customer experience
• Easier marketing messaging

❌ Cons:

• You lose 10-14% of revenue to fees
• Must price tickets higher to compensate
• Lower profit margins

Best Practice: Most organizers pass fees to attendees, but if you're selling high-volume, lower-priced tickets, consider absorbing fees and pricing slightly higher to simplify the checkout experience.

Advanced Pricing Scenarios

Let's examine real-world pricing situations:

Scenario 1: Multi-Day Conference

Event Details:

• 3-day conference
• 500 attendees
• Ticket price: $299

Fee Calculation:

• Service Fee: $299 × 3.7% + $1.79 = $12.85
• Processing: $299 × 2.9% = $8.67
• Total per ticket: $21.52 (7.2%)

For 500 tickets:

• Gross revenue: $149,500
• Eventbrite fees: $10,760
• Net revenue: $138,740

With TixFox ($0.39/ticket): You'd pay only $195 in fees, saving $10,565.

Scenario 2: Weekly Community Event

Event Details:

• Weekly comedy show
• 50 tickets per show × 52 weeks = 2,600 tickets/year
• Ticket price: $15

Annual Fee Calculation:

• Per ticket fee: $15 × 3.7% + $1.79 + ($15 × 2.9%) = $2.78
• Annual fees: 2,600 × $2.78 = $7,228

With TixFox: $1,014/year, saving $6,214 annually.

Scenario 3: High-Ticket Gala

Event Details:

• Annual charity gala
• 200 tickets at $500 each

Fee Calculation:

• Service: $500 × 3.7% + $1.79 = $20.29
• Processing: $500 × 2.9% = $14.50
• Total: $34.79 per ticket (7.0%)

Total fees: $6,958

With TixFox: $78, saving $6,880 (99% reduction).

Scenario 4: Free Event with Paid Add-Ons

Event Details:

• Free admission conference
• Optional $25 workshop add-on
• 300 attendees, 100 buy workshop

Fee Calculation:

• Free tickets: $0 fees
• Workshop fee per person: $25 × 3.7% + $1.79 + ($25 × 2.9%) = $3.49
• Total fees: 100 × $3.49 = $349

This shows how add-ons can generate revenue even for free events, but fees still apply.

Tax Implications and Reporting

What Eventbrite Reports

Eventbrite issues 1099-K forms (US) if you meet IRS thresholds:

• $20,000 in gross sales AND
• 200+ transactions in a calendar year

OR (new 2024 rules):

• $600+ in gross sales (regardless of transaction count)

Important: The 1099-K reports gross sales, not net after fees. You're responsible for tracking fees as business expenses.

Deducting Eventbrite Fees

Eventbrite fees are tax-deductible business expenses:

• Categorize as "merchant fees" or "payment processing"
• Include service fees and processing fees
• Pro plan subscriptions are also deductible

Sales Tax Considerations

Depending on your location:

• Some states require sales tax on event tickets
• Eventbrite can collect tax on your behalf
• Tax is typically NOT charged on Eventbrite's fees
• Check state-specific requirements

Tip: Consult a CPA familiar with event taxation in your state.

Tips to Minimize Eventbrite Costs

If you're committed to using Eventbrite, here's how to reduce fees:

1. Price Tickets Higher

Since fees are percentage-based:

• Higher ticket prices = lower relative fee percentage
• $100 ticket = 8.4% fee
• $25 ticket = 13.8% fee

2. Encourage Early Registration

Early sales provide:

• Better cash flow
• More marketing time
• Reduced last-minute cancellation risk

3. Use On-Site Sales Strategically

On-site fees ($1 + 2.9%) are much lower:

• Consider holding back tickets for door sales
• Encourage walk-ups
• Balance convenience vs cost savings

4. Bundle Tickets and Add-Ons

Instead of selling items separately:

• Create bundled packages
• Reduces individual fee calculations
• May improve perceived value

5. Skip the Pro Plan Unless Necessary

Pro plans add $180-$1,200/year:

• Only get Pro if email marketing is critical
• Use external email tools (Mailchimp, etc.) instead
• Most organizers don't need 2,000+ emails/day

6. Consider Alternatives for Lower-Priced Events

The flat $1.79 fee hits low-priced tickets hard:

• For $10 tickets, consider flat-fee platforms
• TixFox's $0.39 saves 75-85% on small tickets
• Eventbrite makes more sense for $50+ tickets

7. Negotiate Enterprise Pricing

For very large or frequent events:

• Contact Eventbrite's Sales Partnership team
• Custom pricing may be available
• Typically requires significant volume

Eventbrite Pricing vs Competitors: Full Comparison

Winner: TixFox offers the lowest per-ticket cost across all price points, with instant payouts as a bonus.

Major Changes in 2026

Eventbrite made significant pricing updates entering 2026:

✅ What Changed

1. Flex Plan Discontinued - No more pay-per-event option
2. Unlimited Free Publishing - All events (free and paid) can be published at no cost
3. Reduced Pro Plan Pricing - Monthly costs dropped significantly
4. New TikTok Integration - Sell tickets directly on TikTok

❌ What Stayed the Same

• Ticketing fee structure (3.7% + $1.79 + 2.9%)
• Payment processing fees
• Who pays fees (attendees by default)
• Nonprofit discounts (50%)

Cost Comparison: Eventbrite vs Alternatives

TixFox offers the lowest per-ticket cost across all major platforms, saving organizers 80-90% compared to Eventbrite.

How to Calculate Your Eventbrite Costs

Use this formula to estimate your total costs:

Formula:

Code
Per Ticket Fee = (Ticket Price × 0.037) + $1.79 + (Ticket Price × 0.029)

Total Fees = Per Ticket Fee × Number of Tickets

Net Revenue = (Ticket Price × Number of Tickets) - Total Fees

Example: 300 Tickets at $40

1. Per ticket service fee: ($40 × 0.037) + $1.79 = $3.27
2. Per ticket processing: $40 × 0.029 = $1.16
3. Total per ticket: $4.43
4. Total fees for 300 tickets: $1,329
5. Gross sales: $12,000
6. Net revenue: $10,671 (11.08% fee rate)

When Eventbrite Makes Sense

Despite higher fees, Eventbrite can be a good fit if you:

✅ Need access to Eventbrite's large marketplace (30M+ users)
✅ Want integrated marketing and discovery tools
✅ Are hosting high-ticket-price events ($100+)
✅ Value brand recognition and trust
✅ Need enterprise-level support

When to Consider Alternatives

Consider alternatives like TixFox if you:

❌ Want to minimize ticketing fees
❌ Need instant payouts for cash flow
❌ Prefer simple, transparent pricing
❌ Are selling lower-priced tickets ($10-$50)
❌ Don't need Eventbrite's marketplace exposure

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Eventbrite free for organizers?

Yes and no. Publishing events is free, but Eventbrite charges fees on paid tickets (3.7% + $1.79 + 2.9% in the US). Free events have no fees.

Can I use Eventbrite without paying fees?

Only for completely free events. All paid tickets incur fees, though you can choose to absorb them instead of passing them to attendees.

How much does Eventbrite take per ticket?

In the US, Eventbrite takes approximately 10-14% depending on ticket price. A $50 ticket has $5.09 in fees (10.2%), while a $25 ticket has $3.45 in fees (13.8%).

Do I need a Pro plan to use Eventbrite?

No. Pro plans ($15-$100/month) are optional and only provide email marketing features. Basic ticketing is available without a subscription.

How do Eventbrite's fees compare internationally?

Fees vary significantly. The UK has higher fees (6.95% + £0.59) compared to the US (3.7% + $1.79). Always check country-specific pricing.

When do I receive payouts from Eventbrite?

Payouts typically arrive 5-7 business days after the event ends. This can impact cash flow for organizers who need funds immediately.

Are there cheaper alternatives to Eventbrite?

Yes. Platforms like TixFox ($0.39 flat), TicketTailor (~5%), and SimpleTix (2% + $1) offer significantly lower fees with similar features.

Can nonprofits get discounts on Eventbrite?

Yes. Nonprofits receive 50% off Pro plans and discounted fees on donation tickets.

Final Verdict: Is Eventbrite Worth the Cost?

Eventbrite's pricing in 2026 is transparent but expensive. While the platform offers powerful features and marketplace reach, fees of 10-14% per ticket can significantly eat into your revenue—especially for lower-priced tickets.

Best for:

• Large events needing marketplace exposure
• High-ticket events ($100+)
• Organizations valuing brand recognition
• Events requiring extensive marketing tools

Consider alternatives if:

• Fee savings are a priority (save 80-90% with TixFox)
• You need instant payouts
• You're selling lower-priced tickets
• You want simple, flat pricing

Our Recommendation

For most small to mid-size events, TixFox offers better value with 90% lower fees, instant payouts, and a simpler setup. For events relying on Eventbrite's marketplace for discovery, the higher fees may be justified.

Compare TixFox vs Eventbrite →

Related Resources

• Eventbrite vs TixFox: Complete Comparison
• 6 Best Eventbrite Alternatives for 2026
• Eventbrite vs Ticketleap Comparison

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Bottom Line: Eventbrite's 2026 pricing is clearer than previous years, but fees remain high at 10-14% per ticket. For organizers prioritizing cost savings and instant payouts, alternatives like TixFox deliver professional features at a fraction of the cost.