Alternatives to SeatGeek stock
Since SeatGeek is still a private company, you can't buy shares in a regular brokerage account yet. However, accredited investors (i.e., those with a high net worth or high annual income) can sometimes purchase pre-IPO shares of companies like SeatGeek on a secondary marketplace like Forge Global (NYSE:FRGE), Hiive, and EquityZen.
Unfortunately, non-accredited investors will have to wait for SeatGeek's IPO to buy shares. In the meantime, they could consider investing in a competing platform or another company capitalizing on the live sports and entertainment industry. Here are some alternative options to consider while you're waiting for SeatGeek's IPO:
Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (LYV +2.54%) is the world's top live entertainment company. It operates three businesses: Ticketmaster (which competes against SeatGeek), Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media and Sponsorship.
Live Nation makes 82% of its revenue from concerts, 13% from ticketing, and 5% from sponsorship and advertising. The company generated $23.2 billion in revenue in 2024 (up 2%) and almost $2.2 billion in adjusted operating income (a 14% increase).
Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats (SEAT +0.43%) accomplished what SeatGeek attempted in 2021 by going public via a SPAC deal. The company closed its business combination with Horizon Acquisition Corporation in October 2021 in a deal valuing the ticketing company at almost $2 billion.
Vivid Seats generated $775.6 million in revenue in 2024 (up 9%) and was profitable ($14.3 million of net income, though that was down 87% from 2023). The company has expanded its market opportunity through acquisitions in 2023, including Vegas.com and Wavedash.
Madison Square Garden Sports
Madison Square Garden Sports (MSGS +0.30%) owns two professional sports teams (the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers), two development league teams (Westchester Knicks and Hartford Wolf Pack), and a state-of-the-art performance training center (Madison Square Garden Training Center).
Through the first nine months of its 2025 fiscal year, Madison Square Garden Sports generated more than $835 million in revenue and almost $100 million in operating income. Investors who want to invest in one of these SeatGeek alternatives can buy shares in any brokerage account. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to invest in stocks.