Whatever Happened to TicketGroup? And Where to Buy Tickets Now
If you were buying League of Ireland tickets a decade ago, there’s a fair chance you came across TicketGroup. The Dublin-based platform sold tickets for Dundalk FC, Drogheda United, St Patrick’s Athletic, and a handful of music acts and local attractions. For a while, it looked like a proper homegrown alternative to the bigger players.
Then it disappeared.
The ticketing landscape in Ireland has shifted considerably since TicketGroup’s peak years. Knowing your options in 2026 can save you money, hassle, and the odd surprise fee. Here’s what happened to TicketGroup and where Irish event-goers should turn now.
When a ticketing company’s last public message directs customers to a competitor, the lights have already gone out.
TicketGroup: The One That Didn’t Make It
TicketGroup positioned itself as a 100% Irish-owned ticketing company. Based in Dublin, the company launched around 2008 and carved out a niche selling tickets for League of Ireland football clubs, local concerts, Down Royal Races, Funtasia WaterPark, and various community events.
Their sports tickets covered clubs like Dundalk FC, Drogheda United, St Patrick’s Athletic, Bray Wanderers, and UCD AFC. UCD FC home matches at the UCD Bowl in Belfield were a regular fixture on the platform, alongside other League of Ireland football fixtures.
Beyond sports tickets for sale, TicketGroup handled concert tickets and event bookings at venues like the Red Cow Moran Hotel, the Red Cow Inn, and Citywest Events centre. The Red Cow Hotel hosted everything from tribute nights to Christmas shows, while Citywest events included expos like Toys 4 Big Boys and Hooked Live.
They also sold Westport Festival tickets for the Westport Music Festival – a two-day celebration at Westport House featuring Irish and international acts.
Their pitch to promoters was straightforward: lower costs than the big operators, real-time reporting, and a network of over 250 retail outlets across Ireland.
What They Offered
The services went beyond basic ticket sales. TicketGroup provided:
- Custom thermal ticket printing with holograms and barcodes
- Box office software for venues
- Event wristbands and lanyards
- On-site scanning and access control teams
- A “Track My Ticket” feature for customers
- Ticket stock and thermal printers for other event organizers
What Happened?
TICKETGROUP TIMELINE
2008 Founded → 2012–2014 Peak Years → Nov 2022 Final Post
TicketGroup’s peak activity appears to have been between 2012 and 2014. During that period, they were selling tickets for music acts like Jedward, The Saw Doctors, and Frances Black, alongside their football club partnerships with UCD Football and other League of Ireland sides.
By 2017, the offering had narrowed considerably. Most event pages showed no dates on sale for events that once had full calendars.
The final social media activity came in November 2022 – a promotion for an event at the 3Arena with tickets available through Ticketmaster Ireland. When a ticketing company’s last public message directs customers to a competitor, the lights have already gone out.
The Ironic Ending
There was no dramatic announcement, no public statement about closure. TicketGroup simply faded. The website remains online but frozen in time, and the Facebook page sits dormant with 4,700 followers.
For anyone still searching for TicketGroup tickets in 2026, the answer is simple: they don’t exist anymore. But the Irish ticketing market has moved on, and several alternatives now fill the space.
Mobile Platforms for Entertainment: From Tickets to Games
As TicketGroup faded and the Irish ticketing market reshaped itself, a wider change became clear. The way people spend their entertainment time has shifted alongside the platforms that serve them.
Live events remain central, but they are no longer the only option. Sold-out shows, midweek downtime, or distance from major venues often push users toward mobile-first entertainment. Most ticketing platforms now reflect this, prioritizing mobile access, digital tickets, and fast checkouts.
Tickets are usually bought well in advance. Mobile entertainment tends to fill the quieter gaps in between.
Online Casinos and Mobile Games for Adult Users
One part of that mobile entertainment mix is the online casino sector, which has grown steadily among adult users in Ireland. As with ticketing, mobile use now outweighs desktop play.
For many players, the appeal is simple. Games are easy to access, sessions are short, and platforms are built for phones and tablets. Slots, live dealer games, and casual table games are the most common choices, particularly for users who see gaming as occasional leisure.
There are clear parallels with ticketing. Both rely on trust, secure payments, and clear interfaces. Less reliable operators tend to disappear, while established platforms remain.
The difference lies in context. Live events are shared experiences. Online casino games are on-demand and individual. For adult users, they often sit alongside other mobile pastimes rather than replacing live entertainment.
Ticketmaster Ireland: The Giant Everyone Knows
Ticketmaster needs little introduction. The company operates in over 35 countries as part of Live Nation Entertainment and dominates the Irish market for major events. If you’re buying tickets for a stadium concert, a big theatre production, or a GAA match, chances are you’re going through Ticketmaster.
Ticketmaster has invested heavily in anti-fraud technology. Their SafeTix system uses encrypted digital tickets that refresh every few seconds, making screenshots and counterfeits useless.
80%+
of tickets scanned at Irish summer events in 2024 used Ticketmaster’s SafeTix encrypted digital technology
The platform also integrates with TikTok for direct in-app purchases – a feature now available in over 20 countries.
What’s on Their Platform
The current listings include:
- Major international touring acts
- GAA Allianz League fixtures
- West End productions at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
- League of Ireland matches (Bohemians, St Patrick’s Athletic, etc.)
- Comedy tours and family events
✓ Pros
- Great selection in Ireland
- If a major act is touring, they’re almost certainly here
- Mobile app works smoothly
- Ticket transfers are simple
- Resale marketplace offers buyer protection
✗ Cons
- Service fees can add up quickly
- Customer service feels corporate
- Less personal experience
- Fees not always transparent upfront
Tickets.ie: Ireland’s Biggest Independent
Owned by Oshi Software Limited, Tickets.ie has been operating since 2004 making it one of the longest-running Irish ticketing platforms still in business. The company is headquartered at The Stockyard on Foley Street in Dublin 1 and remains entirely Irish-owned.
2.7 million
tickets/year
369
retail stores
9.1 million
impressions/year
174,129
subscribers
What Kind of Events?
Tickets.ie leans strongly toward rock, metal, comedy, and festival audiences, with a clear focus on Irish and touring acts rather than global stadium shows. From what we see on the platform now, listings regularly include:
- Rock and metal festivals, such as Rockathon 2026 at Fairyhouse Racecourse and Hell’s Gate MetalFest
- Music heritage and tribute events, including the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon
- Comedy nights, particularly through long-running venues like City Limits in Cork
- Live gigs in smaller Dublin venues, with frequent listings for places such as The Grand Social, Lost Lane, and The Workmans Club
✓ Pros
- One of the longest-running ticket platforms
- Large retail network alongside online sales
- Good coverage of regional events and smaller venues
- Regular listings for trusted venues like City Limits, The Grand Social, and Lost Lane
✗ Cons
- Fewer large international arena tours
- Sports listings are currently very limited
- Platform design feels more functional than modern
Ticketstop.ie: The Small-Town Favourite
Ticketstop launched in 2008 as the ticketing arm of a chain of music and entertainment retail stores. When the retail chain closed in 2012, management bought the ticketing operation and rebranded it. The company now operates independently from County Meath.
A scroll through current listings reveals a strong regional focus. Events take place at venues like the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, Hotel Kilmore in Cavan, the Canal Court Hotel in Newry, and the Headfort Arms in Kells.
The acts skew toward tribute bands, touring comedians, country music performers, darts exhibitions, and local festivals.
Ticketstop markets itself as a low-cost alternative for independent promoters. The self-service platform allows organizers to list events without the overhead of larger ticketing companies.
✓ Pros
- Strong presence in regional Ireland and smaller towns
- Simple, promoter-friendly self-service setup
- Popular with independent organisers & local festivals
- Recently refreshed website design
✗ Cons
- Limited coverage of major international acts
- No dedicated mobile app
- Not ideal for high-volume or stadium-scale events
TakeYourSeats.ie: The Arts and Theatre Specialist
Founded in 2015 by industry veterans with over 20 years of experience in live events, TakeYourSeats.ie operates from Benburb Street in Dublin. The focus sits firmly on theatre, arts festivals, and cultural programming.
4,670
events
249,370
tickets sold
84,964
customers
109,146
orders
The roster includes Dublin Fringe Festival, Wexford Festival Opera, Galway International Arts Festival, Body & Soul Festival, Ballet Ireland, RTÉ, Dublin International Film Festival, and the Bram Stoker Festival.
TakeYourSeats charges 0% fees on donations – useful for charity performances and fundraisers. They offer free onboarding for event organizers, full box office management, and front-of-house staffing if required.
✓ Pros
- Strong focus on theatre, arts & cultural events
- Full box office management, not just ticket sales
- Zero percent fee on donations for eligible events
- Offers front-of-house & access control services
✗ Cons
- Limited coverage of mainstream concerts & touring pop acts
- Niche appeal may not suit casual ticket buyers
- Not designed for large stadium or arena events
Quick Comparison: Which One Should You Use?
If You Want | Try This |
|---|---|
Major concerts and international tours | Ticketmaster Ireland |
Irish rock festivals and metal gigs | Tickets.ie |
Regional shows and tribute bands | Ticketstop.ie |
Theatre, dance, and arts festivals | TakeYourSeats.ie |
Other Options Worth Knowing
- Eventbrite. For conferences, community gatherings, and one-off events, Eventbrite remains a reliable choice. The self-service setup works well for organizers who want control without complexity.
- Direct from Venues. Many theatres and clubs now sell tickets directly through their own websites. Vicar Street, Whelan’s, and the 3Arena all offer this option.
- Football Club Websites. League of Ireland clubs largely handle their own ticket sales now – a shift that accelerated after TicketGroup’s decline.
TicketGroup’s quiet exit says something about how competitive this market has become. A decade ago, there seemed to be room for a mid-sized Irish operator focused on football and local entertainment. That space has since been absorbed by a combination of larger platforms and direct sales.
Our Advice
Check multiple platforms before purchasing, compare fees, and don’t assume one site has exclusive access.