HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is set to begin Thursday night with the highly anticipated World Championship Bar-B-Que Contest.
And then, just a few days later, the first night of the rodeo will take place.
This event has been a cherished tradition for Houstonians since 1932. Over the years, the rodeo has evolved, including the way tickets are purchased. However, like any major event, there is a secondary market for tickets.
“There are people that can’t buy a ticket here because it’s sold out. So they go elsewhere, but for you and the rest of the rodeo organization, that’s troubling - why? Because the only tickets that can be verified are on AXS.com or RodeoHouston.com,” said Amber Burda, the Chief Revenue Officer for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to a question posted by KPRC 2 Investigates.
Before families enjoy the rides, the rodeo, or a performance by a recording artist, they could be at risk of being scammed. Burda warns that the non-ticket could be sold to multiple people, meaning only the first person to arrive at the gates gets in, while others are left out.
To avoid this, the rodeo advises Houstonians to purchase tickets through their official resale sites, RodeoHouston.com or AXS.com.
“They will be for sure verified,” Burda said.
While there may be honest sellers on other platforms, Burda said there are still risks.
“Now you could get a good person out there that just wants to sell and that is their platform that they choose, but you’re taking that risk,” she explained.
Buying tickets through social media or other sites often means not knowing the seller. By the time you arrive, you might be left with nothing but denied access.
“It personally hurts me because I want everybody in the community to have a good time,” Burda said.
As the first night of the rodeo approaches next Tuesday, featuring Reba McEntire, Burda’s advice is crucial. Fraudulent tickets can turn a day of memories into a day of disappointment, so it’s important to rely on official sources for ticket purchases.
