The event ticketing market has seen fantastic progress over the last few years. The development of Web3 has allowed us to use emerging technologies to deliver better, safer experiences to our communities. These improvements come not just in the number of sold tickets, but also in the technologies used for them. This article will explore how NFT tickets are changing the entertainment industry by focusing on how to set up token-gated events and why you should consider it.
What Are Token-Gated Events?
Token-gated events rely on a verification method based on Web3 tokens. Instead of a classical e-ticket, the access is based on a non-fungible token (NFT). This makes it extremely efficient as it allows you to use it not just for one event, but also for other activities as well.
People love live experiences, and it’s expected that the event ticketing industry will have an annual growth of 3.5% in the next five years. According to Statista, the projected market volume for 2027 is $82.45 billion, a 54% growth from 2019. By 2027, the vast majority of events will rely on NFT tickets. Let’s see why.
How Token-gated Events Work
Token-gated is an expression that became popular with the rise of Web3. To access these experiences, you need a non-fungible token, like a cryptocurrency or an NFT. The most popular form of token-gating an event (or any other type of content) is through NFTs and NFT ticketing.
For an event, this means that access management checks attendees’ digital wallets for a specific token. While this is basically the equivalent of NFT tickets, they are in fact smart tickets. You can use them for much more than just checking access credentials at the gates of your event.
In this case, a token is gating the event. If you don’t own a specific token, you cannot access the specific event. Simple as that.
Initially, NFTs were generally used as collectibles, and the access to the events they allowed entrance to was issued separately. All holders of a specific NFT collection (or a cryptocurrency) would receive their access codes before the start of the event.
Now, you can create flawless processes through NFT ticketing. You can create an NFT that, besides other perks, grants access to a specific event. So it’s a token-gated event where a specific NFT becomes a smart ticket. Unlike a traditional ticket, an NFT ticket’s utility is not limited to a specific event. The token used for admission control is also a limited-edition collectible, can be resold for profit, has different perks and add-ons (like VIP access) embedded, and offers many other benefits.
Why Use Token-Based Access for Your Event?
Setting up token-based access to your events will provide multiple benefits for you and your community alike.
You may have heard of tokens before, like NFTs or cryptocurrency. For token-gated events, they’re not just simple access codes. They’re special digital smart contracts that can do a lot of different things. For example, they can store information about different access rights, have economic value, and offer other benefits, too.
The great thing about these tokens is that they can help create new, exciting experiences. For example, imagine you have a community of people who are all interested in the same thing. With tokens, you can set up a variety of experiences that everyone in your community can access using the same “event pass.” And because tokens can be pre-programmed, they can also act as event passes, loyalty program cards, and even a way to make payments. So whether you’re using an existing token or creating a new one just for your event, tokens can make the experience even better for your attendees, not just during the event but even after.
Benefits of Setting Up Token-Gated Events
There are several benefits to setting up token-gated events. We have covered the benefits of NFT tickets at large, but there are a few points to cover in this article to better understand why this type of token-gated event can make the overall experience better for your community.
Exclusivity
Besides security, token-gated events also add the feeling of exclusivity. Only those who have claimed a specific token have access to that event, making them feel part of something really special.
Stronger Community
This will tighten your community. Traditionally, those joining a specific event are part of a specific community. But until now, it was complicated to empower that community, as the event ticket would lose all of its powers once the event is over. Now, with the help of token-gated events, token-based authentication allows you to use the tokens to strengthen your community. The same tokens can be used for gating exclusive digital content, venues, access to limited-edition merchandise, future events, and more.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Token-Gated Events
Web3, NFTs, and cryptocurrencies may sound complicated, but it’s remarkably easy to set up token-gated events. Here’s a general guide to help you get started:
Create Your Account
First, you need to choose a ticketing platform that supports NFT tickets. Create your account and set up your billing information. Most platforms allow you to integrate various payment processors, including those for fiat and cryptocurrencies.
Setting Up Your Event
Next, set up the event details like the name, time, place, and what data you want to collect from your attendees. Ensure the platform you choose allows for customization to fit your specific needs.
Creating NFT Ticket Categories
For the NFT tickets, select the artwork you want to be associated with the tokenized access credentials. Choose from different formats like .png, .jpeg, or .gif, and the artwork will be minted for each of the tokenized tickets your customers will buy.
Upload a single artwork for the entire ticket category or use entire collections. It’s up to you to create the experience your community wants.
Many platforms also allow you to set up different perks and add-ons for each ticket category. These can include special access, merchandise, food or beverages, or even access to future events. This option encourages your attendees to create their own personalized journeys.
Customizing and Selling Tickets
Customize the follow-up email to deliver the message in your exact tone of voice. Once you finish setting up your event, you can start selling smart tickets on your website using a simple copy-and-paste implementation.
Most platforms take care of the technical requirements, so you just need to focus on delivering a great experience. Getting hold of an NFT ticket has never been easier. While MetaMask is a commonly recommended wallet, many platforms support a variety of digital wallets, allowing your attendees to choose the one that best suits them.
Managing Event Access
Event access management should be simple. Use a scanning app provided by your platform to check the access credentials for each ticket. The blockchain-based tokens typically contain a dynamic QR code used for scanning. Inside the app, you will see the benefits included in that particular smart ticket.
The dynamic QR code will regenerate periodically, making it impossible for anyone to copy it. This ensures the experience remains safe for your attendees, as nobody can steal or copy their event passes.
Popular Platforms for Token-Gated Events
Here are some popular platforms that offer token-gated event capabilities:
- NiftyKit: NiftyKit provides a no-code solution for creating, managing, and selling NFT digital collectibles, including tickets for events. It simplifies the process for creators and teams to turn assets into NFTs (NiftyKit).
- Ticketmaster: Ticketmaster has integrated token-gated sales, allowing artists to reward fans with prioritized ticket access and exclusive concert experiences through NFTs. This includes special presales, prime seats, and custom travel packages (Ticketmaster Business).
- Tropee: Tropee offers various token-gating experiences, such as exclusive access to the best seats, subscription NFTs, and token-gated physical collectibles. It’s designed to enhance the overall event experience for NFT holders (Tropee).
- Bonuz: Bonuz provides exclusive access to token-gated events and special areas, verified through blockchain. It also integrates gamification to engage and reward users during the event (Bonuz Social Smart Wallet ).
- Gate.io: Gate.io supports various NFT projects that leverage token gating for events, such as VeeCon by VeeFriends and special community privileges by World of Women (Gate.io).
Final Words
Token-gated events open new doors for live experiences, both online and in-person. Unlike traditional tickets, non-fungible tokens allow your community to be part of something special, even long after the initial experience has ended.