On May 2, SI Tickets, the ticketing subsidiary of Sports Illustrated, launched the Box Office platform, a self-service event management and primary ticketing solution powered by the Polygon blockchain. Built in conjunction with Web3 software developer ConsenSys, Box Office enables "own ers , organizers and hosts to create, manage and promote fully scalable, paid or ticketed live sporting events."
As part of the new platform, SI Tickets and ConsenSys are collaborating on a “super ticket” that will allow hosts to stay connected with attendees through highlights, collectibles, exclusive offers and loyalty benefits via NFT technology. “Blockchain is the future of ticket ting, said SI Tickets CEO David Lane. "From the moment we launched our global events marketplace, we have been poised to enter and disrupt the major ticketing market, which now has 50 million tickets for more than 250,000 sporting events, con certs and shows."
With Super Ticket, attendees can scan their NFTs before the event to receive fast-track entry passes, drink vouchers, and music downloads, and can receive video content and rewards after the event. "Guests will keep their event tickets forever in their digital wallets ," the new website tells event organizers. Launched in June 2021, SI Tickets has grown to over $2.5 billion in market inventory. The platform claims to charge zero transaction fees on any purchase and guarantees a 100% refund if the event is canceled for any reason. Box Office said it would charge event organizers $1.40 per ticket and a 3 percent commission, plus a 3 percent merchant resale fee.
