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What is Forward

Forward is a consumer-facing ticket marketplace that lists tickets to concerts, sporting events, and theater performances across the country. It combines seller listings with search filters, interactive seat maps, and multiple delivery methods so buyers can find tickets by price, section, or delivery type.

Forward sits in the same category as major secondary marketplaces, and it is commonly compared with StubHub, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster. Compared with StubHub, Forward emphasizes an integrated rewards program and streamlined selling flows; compared with SeatGeek, Forward’s site organization focuses on event discovery and curated sections like “Events Under $100”; compared with Ticketmaster, Forward operates more as a peer-to-peer resale marketplace rather than primary ticket distribution.

All of this makes Forward well suited for fans who need a broad selection of resale tickets and built-in protections while buying. The platform works best for buyers wanting a secure checkout and for casual sellers who want a simple way to list individual tickets for nationwide events.

How Forward Works

Search and discovery start with an event or artist; filters let users narrow results by date, price, and section. Listings are created by individual sellers who set prices, and Forward displays total cost estimates that include service and delivery fees before checkout.

When a buyer purchases a ticket, Forward coordinates payment processing and delivery, and holds the seller payout until the ticket has been delivered or the event has occurred depending on delivery method. The platform enforces a buyer protection policy that covers invalid or undelivered tickets and provides customer support to handle claims or exchanges.

Sellers create an account, list seat details and delivery options, and choose pricing; Forward provides basic listing tools, guidance on seat maps, and support for electronic transfers to ticketing platforms or mobile delivery. The flow is designed for occasional sellers as well as small-volume professional resellers.

Forward features

Forward’s core features center on searchable listings, buyer protection, seller tools, and a rewards program that credits repeat buyers. The platform also offers curated event collections such as “Events Under $100” and promotional sections to help users find lower-cost options quickly.

Advanced search and filters

Search supports artist, venue, date ranges, and price bands, with filters for delivery method and seating area. This helps buyers hone in on the exact section or price point they want without browsing pages of irrelevant listings.

Interactive seat maps

Interactive maps show seat locations visually and update available listings as you click sections, helping buyers compare sightlines and prices across the venue. Sellers specify row and seat details so buyers can confirm exact placement before purchase.

Marketplace for buying and selling

Sellers can list individual tickets with photos, seat information, and delivery options, while buyers can sort by price, quantity, or seller rating. The listing process is designed to be straightforward so casual sellers can move tickets without specialized tools.

Buyer protection guarantee

Forward includes a buyer protection policy that promises valid tickets and timely delivery, with customer service support if problems occur. This policy is intended to reduce the risk of buying from third-party sellers and usually covers refunds or replacements for invalid or undelivered tickets; see Forward’s buyer guarantee details for specifics.

Rewards program

The platform runs a rewards program that issues credit toward future purchases based on eligible transactions, intended to encourage repeat usage. The rewards mechanics can include credits tied to purchase averages or promotional campaigns; check Forward’s rewards program page for exact terms.

Delivery and mobile passes

Forward supports electronic transfers, mobile wallet passes, and physical shipping depending on the event and seller choice. Notifications and delivery tracking are available so buyers know when tickets arrive and can add digital passes to their phone wallets.

Customer service and dispute resolution

Full-service customer care is available to assist with order questions, exchanges, and claims related to invalid tickets. The platform maintains a support center for live help and step-by-step claim submission; visit Forward’s help center for contact options.

With searchable listings, built-in protections, and a rewards program, Forward aims to make buying and selling resale tickets simple while reducing common marketplace risks.

Forward pricing

Forward operates as a resale marketplace where individual ticket prices are set by sellers and additional fees are applied at checkout. The platform uses a fee-based model that typically adds a service fee and delivery or processing fees on top of the seller-listed price; those extra charges vary by event, delivery method, and ticket type.

For specific fee amounts and a breakdown of buyer and seller charges, visit Forward’s official homepage to view current pricing and fee disclosures. Sellers should also review the site documentation for details on payout timing and any seller-side fees.

What is Forward Used For?

Forward is used primarily to buy and sell resale tickets for concerts, sports, and theater events when primary-market tickets are sold out or when buyers want a specific section or date. It serves fans looking for last-minute tickets, collectors seeking particular seats, and casual sellers who need to offload tickets they cannot use.

Event promoters and small resellers use Forward to reach a national audience without building their own storefront, while individual fans use the platform for discovery, price comparison, and the convenience of a unified checkout and delivery system.

Pros and cons of Forward

Pros

  • Wide event coverage: Forward lists events across sports, music, and theater nationwide, giving buyers broad selection and multiple date options. Sellers can reach a large pool of buyers beyond local markets.
  • Buyer protection: The platform’s guarantee aims to protect buyers against invalid or undelivered tickets, and the customer service team handles claims and resolutions. This reduces risk compared to private transfers without support.
  • Simple selling flow: Listing tickets is straightforward for casual sellers, with guided fields for seat location, delivery method, and pricing suggestions. This lowers the barrier for one-off sellers to use the marketplace.
  • Rewards program: Buyers earn credits or rewards that can offset future purchases, which appeals to frequent buyers looking to reduce net cost over time.

Cons

  • Service fees can be high: Buyers often encounter service and delivery fees added at checkout, which can significantly increase total cost compared with the sticker price. Fee structure varies by event and is not always obvious until checkout.
  • Price variability: Since sellers set prices, costs can spike for popular events or premium seats, making budgeting difficult for buyers seeking lower-cost options.
  • Limited public pricing transparency: There is no single published fee schedule on a dedicated pricing page, so users must rely on the checkout breakdown or contact support to understand exact fees for a given purchase.

Does Forward Offer a Free Trial?

Forward does not offer a free trial or free plan. The platform is a transaction-based ticket marketplace where you pay per ticket purchase; any value you can recover is through the rewards program or promotional credits rather than a free tier or trial period.

Forward API and Integrations

Forward does not advertise a public developer API for broad third-party integrations; most of its functionality is focused on the web and mobile buying experience. For partners and enterprise sellers, the platform may offer partner integrations or custom connections; contact Forward’s help center to inquire about partner options.

Common consumer integrations include mobile wallet passes and calendar add-ons so buyers can save ticket details to devices after purchase. These delivery and calendar features are handled within the buyer flow rather than through a public API.

10 Forward alternatives

Paid alternatives to Forward

  • StubHub — A long-standing ticket resale marketplace with global reach, buyer protections, and a large inventory across sports and live events.
  • SeatGeek — A discovery-focused ticket search engine that aggregates resale and primary listings with deal scoring and interactive maps.
  • Ticketmaster — Primary ticketing platform that also operates a resale marketplace for verified tickets and official fan-to-fan transfers.
  • Vivid Seats — A resale marketplace with a loyalty program and customer guarantee aimed at North American events.
  • TickPick — A marketplace known for transparent pricing with no buyer fees in some models and a best-price guarantee.
  • Eventbrite — Primarily for event organizers to sell tickets directly, suitable for smaller venues and independent promoters.
  • AXS — Primary and secondary ticketing platform used by venues and promoters with integrated resale capabilities.

Open source alternatives to Forward

  • Attendize — An open source ticket selling and event management application you can self-host for direct primary ticket sales. It supports attendee management and multiple ticket types.
  • pretix — A flexible open source box office and ticketing system that supports complex event setups, plugins, and integrations for self-hosted deployments.
  • OpenEvent — Part of the FOSS ecosystem for event organization and ticketing, designed for conferences and community events and available for self-hosting.

Frequently asked questions about Forward

What is Forward used for?

Forward is used to buy and sell resale tickets for concerts, sports, and theater events. It connects individual sellers with buyers nationwide and manages delivery and payment processing.

Does Forward offer a buyer guarantee?

Yes, Forward includes a buyer protection guarantee. The guarantee covers invalid or undelivered tickets and provides customer service support for claim resolution; see the buyer guarantee details for terms.

Can I sell tickets on Forward?

Yes, anyone can list tickets for sale on Forward. Sellers create a listing with seat details, choose a delivery method, and set a price; Forward provides support and payout processing once tickets are delivered.

Does Forward have a rewards program?

Forward runs a rewards program that issues credit toward future purchases. Reward mechanics vary and can include credits based on eligible purchases; check Forward’s rewards program page for specifics.

Does Forward provide an API for developers?

Forward does not publish a public developer API for general use. For partner or enterprise integration inquiries, contact Forward through the help center.

Final verdict: Forward

Forward is a straightforward resale marketplace that combines broad event coverage with buyer protections and a rewards program designed to encourage repeat purchases. Its strengths are event discovery, a simple seller experience, and support channels that manage disputes and delivery issues.

Compared with StubHub, Forward offers a similar mix of buyer guarantees and nationwide inventory but emphasizes curated discovery sections and rewards. Pricing on Forward is transaction-based with variable service and delivery fees, which is comparable to StubHub‘s fee model; buyers should compare checkout totals across marketplaces to find the best net price for a given event.

Overall, Forward is a practical choice for fans who need access to resale tickets with a safety net and occasional credits back for future spending, while frequent buyers should monitor fees and compare listings across multiple marketplaces to secure the best value.