Pricing a 200-Seat House: Worked Examples With Real Fee Math

Abstract pricing comparisons only get you so far. This guide runs through three realistic scenarios for a 200-seat community venue and shows exactly how different fee structures affect what you take home.

The Setup

• Capacity: 200 reserved seats
• Season: 6 productions, 3 performances each = 18 shows
• Average occupancy: 85% (170 tickets sold per show)
• Total tickets per season: 3,060

We compare two models:

• Model A (Flat fee): $0.79 per ticket—what EventTicketGo charges.
• Model B (Percentage + fixed): 5% of face value + $1.50 per ticket—representative of mid-market platforms.

Payment processing (2.9% + $0.30) is the same in both models. We're isolating the platform fee.

Scenario 1: Community Theater Season

Tiers: $20 (balcony), $30 (orchestra sides), $40 (orchestra center)

Per show: 50 at $20, 70 at $30, 50 at $40 → $5,100 gross

Model A: 170 × $0.79 = $133.30/show → $2,417/season

Model B:

• 50 × ($1.00 + $1.50) = $125
• 70 × ($1.50 + $1.50) = $210
• 50 × ($2.00 + $1.50) = $175
• $510/show → $9,180/season

Savings with flat fee: $6,763 per season.

Scenario 2: Annual Gala With Premium Pricing

Tiers: $75 (standard), $125 (preferred), $200 (VIP with reception)

Distribution: 100 at $75, 60 at $125, 40 at $200 → $23,000 gross

Model A: 200 × $0.79 = $158

Model B:

• 100 × ($3.75 + $1.50) = $525
• 60 × ($6.25 + $1.50) = $465
• 40 × ($10.00 + $1.50) = $460
• Total: $1,450

Savings with flat fee: $1,292 on a single event. The $200 VIP ticket generates $11.50 in fees under Model B versus $0.79 under Model A.

Scenario 3: Children's Show With Low Prices

Ticket price: $10 (single tier) | Shows: 6 | Tickets: 1,080 | Gross: $10,800

Model A: 1,080 × $0.79 = $853

Model B: 1,080 × ($0.50 + $1.50) = $2,160

Savings with flat fee: $1,307. Even at $10, Model B's $1.50 fixed component makes it more than double.

Annual Total

	Model A	Model B	Flat-Fee Savings
Regular season	$2,417	$9,180	$6,763
Annual gala	$158	$1,450	$1,292
Children's series	$853	$2,160	$1,307
Total	$3,428	$12,790	$9,362

Over three years, the difference exceeds $28,000.

Variables That Change the Math

Occupancy rate. We used 85%. Higher occupancy amplifies the gap because you're running more tickets through the fee structure. Lower occupancy shrinks the totals but the relative advantage holds.

Ticket price mix. The higher your average price, the more percentage models cost. If your top tier is $100+, flat-fee savings become very significant. Conversely, if all your tickets are $10, the gap narrows—but the flat fee still wins because most percentage models have a fixed per-ticket component that stacks on top.

Number of shows. More performances mean more tickets, which amplifies any per-ticket cost difference. A venue running 30+ shows per year will see the fee differential become one of their larger line items.

Fee absorption vs. pass-through. Whether you absorb or pass through, lower fees mean more money stays in the ecosystem—either in the buyer's wallet or in your operating budget. For guidance on this decision, see Passing Fees to Buyers.

Beyond the Fee

Price isn't everything. Make sure your comparison is apples-to-apples. The platform should include interactive seat maps, email delivery, phone-based scanning (no app downloads for staff), sales reporting, and payouts within a reasonable timeframe. If any of those are add-ons, factor the cost in.

Try It With Your Numbers

Take your seat count, price tiers, and expected occupancy. Run the math both ways. To test-drive flat-fee ticketing with your real layout, create an organizer account and set up a draft event.

More pricing resources at Resources. See how other venues approach ticketing through the organizer directory.

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Explore more pricing guides at Resources.