JOIN STAR

If your venue or organisation deals with selling tickets for events, either directly to the public or through other outlets, you should join STAR. We also have many other members who join to support the work we do and to be at the forefront of setting best practice in the industry.

JOIN HERE MEMBERSHIP FEES MEMBERSHIP LEAFLET

STAR
THE SOCIETY OF TICKET AGENTS AND RETAILERS

Founded in 1997, STAR is the representative body for the UK ticketing industry, encouraging high standards of service and reassuring the public that they are buying from a reputable ticket seller when they deal with a STAR member. Through its members, STAR represents major UK ticket agencies and numerous ticketing businesses across the country, as well as having associate members from the travel trade and other industry representative bodies.

With widespread support from venues, industry organisations, promoters and producers, STAR is at the forefront of cross-industry initiatives to improve consumer confidence, combat fraud and make ticket buying safer. STAR’s members represent over 90% of theatre and music ticket sales (over a million tickets per week)

STAR works to help raise standards in the entertainment industry and campaign on issues such as internet scams and ticketing rip-offs. STAR is a prime point of contact for regulatory and statutory bodies when consulting on issues such as unfair terms in contracts, advertising standards and consumer care.

In addition to its comprehensive Code of Practice, STAR has also developed Model Terms and Conditions of Sale and an Accessible Ticketing Guide.

BENEFITS

FOR STAR MEMBERS

A common Code of Practice that provides reassurance and agreed standards of service to customers

Effective self-regulation of the entertainment ticket industry

Representation to government and other bodies on behalf of the industry

Participation in a membership-led organisation which seeks to ensure the highest levels of consumer care and industry regulation

A free, government-approved alternative dispute resolution service

Promotion of STAR member companies to the public, trade and consumer media and to consumer interest organisations

The right to use the STAR logo as a clear indication of confidence for ticket buyers

The opportunity to seek election to STAR’s governing Council

An industry discussion forum

Seminars and workshops on key topics and newsletters updating members on matters of concern and interest to the industry

FOR TICKET BUYERS

The STAR assurance on standards of service and information from members

A free, government-approved alternative dispute resolution service

Clearer information about where and how to buy tickets

A means of differentiating reputable agencies and box offices from potentially less scrupulous ticket sellers

Click here for more information on the benefits of STAR Membership.

MEMBERSHIP

FULL MEMBERSHIP is open to ticket agencies and others operating in the UK that sell tickets on behalf of event owners and venues to the public directly or via sub-agents. This category also includes platforms that facilitate the resale of tickets, subject to the platform maintaining a price cap on how much tickets can be resold for.

New companies applying for Full Membership that have no trading history or filed accounts may be granted PROVISIONAL MEMBERSHIP, during which time activity and trading will be monitored. Provisional Members will make the transition to Full Membership at the next renewal date or can be reviewed sooner if requested by the member.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP is for operators of organisations and venues in the business of selling tickets directly to the general public, whether through their box offices on their own or other premises, or through allocations or API links to third parties.

Special arrangements exist for venues that are already members of UK Theatre. This includes free or very reduced price Associate Membership for registered charities that are also members of UK Theatre. Charities qualifying for this category or membership receive all the same benefits as other STAR members, but do not have a vote in elections to the STAR Council or other polls.

Through a special arrangement with the National Arenas Association, their members can join STAR as Associate Members with a reduced membership fee.

TRAVEL AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP is open to organisations involved in the sale of tickets exclusively or mainly as part of a package which includes hospitality, travel or accommodation.

AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP is for companies and organisations connected with the UK ticket industry that do not sell tickets directly to the public, but who wish to participate in and support STAR’s work and for white label ticketing sites and sub-agents that are not the merchant of record for transactions.

FREELANCE MEMBERSHIP is a new, low-cost, category for individuals working in or associated with the ticketing industry solely in a freelance capacity. This category is not available to anyone working on the payroll of a company or organisation that is or could be a member of STAR. The intention is to enable freelancers to stay in touch with the industry through STAR and to attend STAR events at no additional charge. Freelance Members do not have a vote in elections or other polls and must notify STAR that they wish to suspend their membership if they join the payroll of a company or organisation that is or could be a member of STAR.

All applications will be considered by the STAR Council and you may be asked to provide additional information as well as details of two referees. The Council endeavour to deal with all applications as swiftly as possible and within one month unless further details are still required for a decision to be reached.

A copy of STAR’s Memorandum and Articles of Association can be downloaded here.