The best event ticketing platform for Con events is one that handles multi-day schedules, group tickets, vendors, and on-site volume without slowing you down or holding your money. If your platform struggles with fees, payouts, data collection, or check-in, it creates friction everywhere else. This guide shows what to look for and how a ticketing app for con events should support convention workflows.
Conventions are not single-day affairs. They span multiple days, serve different audiences simultaneously, and depend on precise coordination. That complexity is why organizers feel pain around high service fees, delayed payouts, fragmented attendee data, and on-site congestion.
This article focuses on practical criteria that matter for Cons. You will see how to evaluate platforms based on pricing control, payout timing, data collection, customization, and on-site tools. You will also see how these needs play out in real Con examples.
General Ticketing vs. Con-Focused Ticketing
| Common Organizer Experience | How Con-Focused Ticketing Solves It |
|---|---|
| Funds held until after the event | Payouts after each ticket sale |
| Tools designed for single-day events | Built-in tools for multi-day and recurring events |
| Limited ticket types behind pay gates | Unlimited ticket types for GA, VIP, single-day, multi-day, etc |
| Manual pricing updates | Automatic start and end dates for ticket tiers |
| One-size-fits-all workflows | Flexible configurations for complex Con needs |
Understanding Con Events
Q: What makes con events operationally complex?
A: Multi-day schedules with overlapping programming, multiple ticket types, and varied audiences all running at once.
A typical con includes:
- Multi-day attendance with day-specific access
- Attendees, VIPs, vendors, guests, panelists, volunteers
- Panels, workshops, signings, and special experiences
A one-size-fits-all ticket setup rarely works here. Flexibility matters more than feature count because organizers need to serve different audiences without creating separate systems or manual workarounds.
The best event ticketing platform for Con events adapts to these layers instead of forcing organizers into rigid structures.
Key Criteria for a Con Event Ticketing App
When evaluating ticketing platforms, focus on outcomes, not marketing claims.
Transparent pricing and fee control
Organizers should know precisely how fees are calculated and have options for who pays them.
Fast access to ticket revenue
Cons require upfront spending on venues, guests, travel, and promotion.
Strong attendee data collection
You cannot plan security, capacity, or future marketing without complete data.
Customization and branding
Event pages and order forms should reflect the con’s identity and needs.
Reliable on-site tools
Check-in and box office tools for fast entry and at-the-door sales.
Financial Flexibility
- Multi-currency support
- Klarna/Pay Later options so fans can spread out the cost of VIP packages
- Option to pass fees to buyers and collect 100% of the ticket value, or absorb them
Organizers need cash flow before doors open. Early access to funds helps cover:
- Venue deposits
- Guest travel
- Marketing campaigns
- Production costs
A strong ticketing app for Con events releases revenue as tickets sell.
Setting Up Multi-Day and Recurring Con Events
- Ticket Bundles – Ideal for packages bundling multiple tickets and/or exclusive panels/workshops when attendance tracking is preferred.
- Automated Start/End Dates – Set different ticket tiers (i.e., Early Bird, General Admission, etc.) to activate and expire automatically.
- Recurring Events – Perfect for multi-day cons with shared event details but separate attendee lists for each day.
- Ticket Sharing – Enable ticket sharing for individual tickets to collect more attendee data.
- Duplicate – Easily make a copy of your past con event and modify it for the current one.
This approach:
- Reduces setup time, manual price changes, and missed deadlines
- Improves the buyer’s experience
- Ensures daily attendance tracking
Flexible Ticketing Options for Con Audiences
The best event ticketing platform for con events does not limit ticket creativity.
Look for:
- Unlimited ticket types
- Single-day and weekend passes
- VIP and experience-based tickets
- Hidden or private tickets for vendors and press
- Pay-What-You-Wish options for community access
These tools help organizers meet fans where they are without sacrificing control.
Ticket Bundles: A Core Feature for Con Events
Selling group passes is common for cons, but traditional platforms often end there. That leaves organizers manually tracking guest information or dealing with surprises at check-in. Ticket bundles shift that work upstream—buyers purchase quickly, guests provide their own details, and organizers arrive on event day with complete, accurate attendee data.
Bundles simplify purchases and increase average order value, allowing organizers to sell:
- Weekend passes
- VIP packages
- Multi-experience tickets
Q: How do bundles reduce friction at checkout?
A: By separating purchase from attendee data collection. Buyers can complete purchases quickly, while guest details are collected later through ticket claiming.
Bundles vs. Single Tickets
Bundles reduce checkout time, improve conversion, and ensure complete attendee data when paired with ticket claiming.
Solving the Group Ticket Data Collection Problem
Q: Why is attendee data critical for cons?
A: It supports security, planning, and long-term growth. Accurate data enables:
- Security protocols
- Panel capacity planning
- Post-event marketing and donor development
Q: How does ticket claiming help collect more attendee data?
A: TicketStripe’s ticket share and claim feature allows each guest to claim their own ticket. With claiming required in Ticket Bundles:
- Tickets are shared via email or text
- Guests provide the required information
- QR codes unlock only after completion
This reduces check-in confusion and can help collect 100% attendance data.
Why Data Collection Matters
When attendee information is missing, opportunities are lost. For-profit events miss future customers. Nonprofits miss potential long-term donors. Complete data supports growth beyond the event itself.
Vendor and Artist Alley Management
Create a separate event page for Vendor and Artist Alley registration. This keeps vendor logistics organized without mixing them into general attendee workflows.
- Ticket Bundles for Vendor Tables – Sell vendor spaces that include multiple staff badges.
- Ticket Sharing – Vendors can share staff badges with their team members, who then claim tickets with their own information.
- Custom Order Form – Collect booth preferences, power requirements, and display needs from vendors during registration.
Coordinating Guests, Panels, and Special Programming
Cons thrive on programming. Ticketing tools should support it.
- Use custom questions to gather cosplay contest entries, panel, workshop, and meetup preferences. This will help you manage capacity for high-demand sessions without overselling.
- Track ticket sales from special guests, influencers, or partner organizations promoting your con with TicketStripe’s promoter feature.
On-Site Operations That Scale with Attendance
A reliable ticketing app for Con events supports:
- Fast check-in
- Multiple volunteers scanning at once
- Live sync across devices
Offline backup lists ensure operations continue even if connectivity dips.
Q: How should at-door sales be handled?
A: With a mobile box office that supports cash, cards and digital wallets.
- At-door tickets can be designated for the Box Office only.
- Check-in is immediate.
Merchandise, Add-Ons, and Revenue Expansion
Cons often generate meaningful revenue beyond tickets.
- Sell merchandise before the event
- Offer VIP add-ons and experiences
- Add a custom organizer fee
These options increase per-attendee value without complicating checkout.
Fan Engagement and Communication Tools
Engagement starts before doors open. Effective ticketing platforms support:
- Ticket sharing that improves early data collection
- Discount codes for cosplayers, students, and returning fans
- Segmented email communication by ticket types for attendees, vendors, and VIPs
Clear communication reduces confusion and improves the on-site experience.
User Access
Not everyone needs the same access. Clear separation for accountability and security protects data and simplifies training.
TicketStripe offers the following user roles:
- Check-in assistant access via the mobile app
- Box office access via the mobile app to sell tickets on site
- Event administrator access to assist with creating and managing events
- Event analyst access for viewing performance data and reports
- The account owner is the only one who can add users, connect payments, and manage account settings
Data, Reporting, and Post-Event Insights
Good reporting turns one con into many future opportunities.
- Real-Time Sales Tracking – Monitor which ticket types are selling to adjust marketing
- Traffic Source Tracking – See which promotional channels drive the most sales
- Attendee Export Options – Generate lists for different con departments (registration, vendors, security)
Real-World Con Event Examples
Literary Con
This two-day celebration of crime, mystery, and thriller storytelling brings authors, podcasters, publishers, and fans together for an immersive shared experience. Multi-day and VIP tickets, curated add-ons, and flexible discounts are supported by custom order forms that capture precise details the organizer needs. Fees are passed on to buyers, embedded ticketing keeps purchasing seamless, and post-purchase messages ensure attendees stay informed and connected.
Most Valued Features
- Multi-day and VIP tickets
- Add-ons, discounts, embedded ticketing
- Post-purchase messaging and buyer-paid fees
- Mobile app
Comic Con
This large-scale live event brings together thousands of attendees for an immersive, high-energy experience that celebrates shared interests and community connection. Single-Day, Multi-Day, and VIP options make it easy for groups and fans to choose their adventure. Transparent buyer-paid fees and post-purchase messaging keep the experience smooth from checkout through event day.
Most Valued Features
- Unlimited Tickets
- Ticket bundles, sharing & claiming
- Post-purchase messaging
- Mobile app
Sports Romance Con
This multi-day fan convention brings readers, authors, and creators together for panels, signings, and community events. Hidden tickets and custom order forms allow the organizer to personalize the experience through segmented messaging and swag bag perks, while discount codes expand access to a broader community.
Most Valued Features
- Unlimited and hidden tickets
- Custom order forms
- Discount codes
- Segmented messaging
- Mobile app
Excalibur Con
This large-scale fan convention served more than 2,000 attendees through a broad mix of ticket types, including early-bird, VIP, vendor, raffle, bundle, BOGO, and donation options. Custom order forms, built-in discounts, and buyer-paid fees streamlined sales while maximizing flexibility and revenue. Defined staff roles and integrated email tools supported smooth coordination from promotion through check-in.
Most Valued Features
- Unlimited and hidden tickets
- Ticket bundles, sharing & claiming
- Donations and flexible fee handling
- Discounts
- Staff roles and built-in email communication
- Mobile app
Final Thoughts: What Defines the Best Event Ticketing Platform for Con Events?
The best event ticketing platform for con events adapts to conventions of all sizes and styles, from 500-person gaming cons to 50,000-attendee comic cons, with no setup fees or monthly charges; registrants pay a fee only when they buy a ticket. It reduces manual work and helps you collect more attendee data. Fair pricing, fast payouts, flexible ticketing, and dependable on-site tools help cons grow year over year.
Platforms like TicketStripe are built for these real-world needs. When your ticketing system works the way your con does, you spend less time managing tools and more time creating experiences fans return to again and again.