Your go-to guide for being a fan.
Plain-English guides for fans: buying tickets safely and spotting scams, getting the most out of concerts, games and conventions, and planning fan trips on a budget. Every guide links to its sources.
Articles
18 articles
Ticket Scams: Warning Signs and Safer Ways to Pay
How fake and duplicate ticket scams work, the warning signs the FTC highlights, which payment methods to avoid, and what to do quickly if you've already paid.
Read · 6 min read →Tickets & ScamsResale Tickets: Speculative Listings, Look-Alike Sites and Guarantees
How the ticket resale market works, the risks of speculative listings and look-alike sites, and what to check in a reseller's guarantee before you buy.
Read · 6 min read →Tickets & ScamsAll-In Ticket Pricing: What the FTC Fees Rule Requires
What the FTC's Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees requires of live-event ticket sellers since May 12, 2025, which charges can still come later, and how to report problems.
Read · 6 min read →Tickets & ScamsCanceled or Postponed Events: Refunds, Disputes and Your Rights
What decides whether you get your money back when an event is canceled or moved, how resale guarantees and state laws fit in, and how a credit card dispute works.
Read · 6 min read →Tickets & ScamsTicket Bots and the BOTS Act: What the Law Bans and Who Enforces It
What the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 prohibits, which events it covers, how the FTC and states enforce it, and how fans can report suspected violations.
Read · 5 min read →Tickets & ScamsPresales and Online Queues: How Ticket On-Sales Really Work
Why popular tickets disappear so fast, how presales and held-back tickets work, what to expect in an online queue, and how to prepare without breaking the rules.
Read · 6 min read →At the EventStadium and Arena Bag Policies: What Gets You Through the Gate
Bag rules differ by league, team, venue and even event; here is how the common policies work and how to pack so security waves you through.
Read · 6 min read →At the EventHearing Protection at Concerts and Games: Enjoy It Loud, Safely
How loud events affect your ears, what CDC and NIOSH guidance says about noise, and how to choose and fit earplugs so the show still sounds good.
Read · 6 min read →At the EventCrowd Safety at Big Events: A Fan's Plan Before, During and After
Practical safety habits for concerts, games and festivals, built on official Ready.gov, DHS and National Weather Service guidance.
Read · 6 min read →At the EventAccessible Seating and the ADA: Your Rights When Buying Event Tickets
How Justice Department ADA rules cover accessible seats, companion tickets, pricing, resale, service animals and communication access at events.
Read · 6 min read →At the EventYour First Fan Convention: Badges, Props, Lines and Etiquette
A first-timer's guide to comic, gaming and pop-culture conventions, with real policy examples on badges, cosplay props, lines, photos and safety.
Read · 6 min read →At the EventHeat at Outdoor Events: Hydration, Shade and Warning Signs
How to handle hot days at festivals, ballgames and tailgates using CDC, NIOSH and National Weather Service guidance on heat, hydration and heat illness.
Read · 6 min read →Fan Travel & BudgetBudgeting a Fan Trip: Price the Whole Weekend Before You Buy
How to price a whole fan trip, from tickets and lodging to parking and merch, using the FTC's all-in pricing rule and DOT airline refund rules.
Read · 6 min read →Fan Travel & BudgetFlying to the Game: TSA Rules for Fans, Gear and Merch
What TSA allows for fans who fly to events: REAL ID, the 3-1-1 liquids rule, power banks, bats, snow globes and help from TSA Cares.
Read · 6 min read →Fan Travel & BudgetRoad-Tripping to Games and Festivals: A Safer Drive Plan
A road trip plan for away games and festivals: vehicle checks, a roadside kit, drowsy-driving risks after late events and rental car fees, from NHTSA and FTC advice.
Read · 6 min read →Fan Travel & BudgetEvent-Weekend Lodging: Spotting Rental Scams and Fake Listings
How vacation rental scams target busy event weekends, the FTC's warning signs, the checks to run before you pay, and how to report a fake listing.
Read · 6 min read →Fan Travel & BudgetTraveling Abroad for a Game or Concert: Passports to STEP
Planning an international fan trip: passport validity and processing times, entry rules, STEP enrollment, health and insurance, and bringing merch home through customs.
Read · 6 min read →Fan Travel & BudgetGroup Fan Trips: Splitting Costs, Rooms and Rides Without Drama
How to organize a group fan trip: one written plan, fair cost splits using all-in lodging prices, safer payment apps, airline refund rules and shared driving.
Read · 6 min read →Glossary
55 Ticketing, venue and fan-travel terms explained in a sentence or three, from all-in pricing to will call.