SI Tickets enters primary market with NFT ticket solution

SI Tickets, the Sports Illustrated-backed ticketing site, has announced its entry into the primary ticketing market through the launch of a new self-service event management and platform that incorporates NFT and non-NFT tickets solutions.

Box Office by SI Tickets has been developed in partnership with web3 leader ConsenSys and powered by Polygon’s blockchain technology. It allows organisers to create, manage and promote an event through the SI Tickets platform.

SI Tickets claims that Box Office is the first global platform to combine a complete NFT ticket solution for events of any size alongside traditional, non-NFT tickets on the SI Tickets marketplace.

As part of Box Office, SI Tickets and ConsenSys have developed Super Ticket, an NFT ticket solution that enables event hosts to add extras such as highlights, collectibles and offers.

“From the moment we launched our global event marketplace, which now boasts 50 million tickets to over 250,000 sports, concerts and shows, we have been preparing to enter and disrupt the primary ticket market,” said David Lane, chief executive of SI Tickets. “Blockchain is the future of ticketing, and now owners, promoters, hosts and attendees have access to an advanced ticketing experience that transforms the antiquated barcode into engaging and collectible content.”

SI Tickets, which launched in 2021, said that the Box Office service is launching with a range of partners including youth football, basketball, hockey, cheer and dance competitions to fashion shows and live music bars. It will ultimately be deployed by owners, organisers and vendors from across sports, concerts, comedy, nightlife and industry functions.

Lane added: “The existing self-service event management sites haven’t evolved fast enough, as they can only list events and provide software to scan a barcode.

“With Box Office, games, shows and conferences of all sizes can now achieve a superior and more cost-effective solution that includes unmatched visibility on a global marketplace, no hardware costs, free credits for their attendees and Sports Illustrated Tickets as their partner.”

Brian Trunzo, head of business development, North America, for Polygon Labs, said: “Blockchain technology offers significant benefits for consumers, particularly ticketing, including enhancing payment security, and eliminating scalping and fraud. Box Office is an important step towards further consumer adoption.”