Turn Holiday Shopping Into Ticket Sales
Black Friday falls on November 27, 2026, leaving just 28 days until Christmas. That makes this holiday season shorter, earlier and more competitive than ever.
For teams, venues, attractions and live event organizers, that compressed window creates an opportunity to get ahead of the rush with Offers that are easy to discover, easy to understand and easy to buy.
Shoppers are already looking for gifts before Black Friday arrives. They are discovering ideas through social media and creators, comparing options with AI tools and completing purchases on their phones. For live events, that means holiday ticket Offers need to do more than offer a discount. They need to make the purchase feel simple, giftable and worth sharing.
FEVO gives partners the tools to build those Offers, reach new audiences and create a smoother path from discovery to purchase. For additional holiday resources, campaign inspiration and helpful links, visit FEVO's 2026 Holiday Hub.
This guide covers the holiday shopping trends that matter for ticket sellers, when to launch your Offers, ideas for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and FEVO features that can help you turn holiday demand into ticket sales.
5 Holiday Shopping Trends to Keep in Mind
1. Holiday shopping starts earlier than you think
The holiday buying journey is already underway by October. Microsoft reports that 63% of U.S. shoppers start holiday shopping before Halloween, while October is the first click for more than half of November conversions.
What it means for your Offers: Don't wait until Black Friday to launch your holiday strategy. Use October and early November to introduce early-bird pricing, preview Offers and giftable packages.
With FEVO, you can build and launch Offers ahead of the rush, then refresh your promotions as the season progresses.
2. Social and creators influence discovery
Social media is a major source of holiday gift inspiration, and creators play an important role in helping shoppers find products and deals.
For ticket sellers, this creates an opportunity to turn your fans and advocates into part of your holiday marketing strategy.
FEVO features to use: Social Checkout™
FEVO's social buying experience makes it easier for fans to share an Offer with friends and family. Pair that with creator, ambassador or fan incentives to put your holiday Offers where people are already discovering gift ideas.
3. Deals still matter, but value doesn't always mean the lowest price
Discounts remain an important part of holiday shopping, but shoppers are also looking for convenience, flexibility and added value.
That opens the door to more than traditional percentage-off promotions. Consider bundles, mini packs, premium inventory, flexible plans, vouchers or added perks.
FEVO features to use: Flex Plans and Buy Now Pay Later
Flex Plans can package multiple games or events into a single purchase while giving buyers more choice. Buy Now Pay Later can make higher-priced packages, premium seats and suites easier to purchase as gifts.
4. Mobile checkout needs to be simple
More than half of holiday ecommerce sales are expected to come from mobile devices in 2026. When shoppers are buying on their phones, every extra step creates friction.
FEVO supports payment options including Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, credit cards and Buy Now Pay Later, helping partners give buyers more ways to complete their purchase.
Holiday checkout tip: Build and test every Offer on mobile before your campaign goes live.
5. AI is becoming part of gift research
Shoppers are increasingly using AI tools to research holiday purchases and compare options. That makes clear Offer information more important than ever.
Your Offers should quickly answer:
- What am I buying?
- What's included?
- How much does it cost?
- When can I use it?
- Who is it for?
- Are there any restrictions?
Specific Offer names, detailed descriptions and clear creative help both fans and the tools they use to research purchases understand what you're selling.
When Should You Launch Your Black Friday Offers?
Black Friday is November 27, but your Black Friday strategy should start much earlier.
FEVO's 2025 holiday data showed that ticket sales increased in the weeks before Thanksgiving, dipped around Thanksgiving and Black Friday, then rebounded on Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday.
That means the opportunity extends well beyond the traditional Cyber Five window.
A simple holiday timeline
October: Start early
Launch preview Offers, early-bird deals and giftable packages. Begin promoting your holiday inventory before shoppers are ready to make their final purchases.
Early to mid-November: Build anticipation
Introduce your Black Friday messaging and give select audiences early access. Season ticket holders, email subscribers and past buyers can be strong audiences for restricted or member-first Offers.
November 23–25: Build momentum
Put your headline holiday Offers in front of fans across email, social, SMS and paid channels. Use countdown messaging to create urgency.
November 27: Black Friday
Give fans a clear reason to buy. A named-game discount, mini pack, BOGO or limited-time deal can create urgency without making your entire holiday strategy dependent on discounts.
November 30: Cyber Monday
Give fans a new reason to purchase. Refresh the Offer rather than simply extending your Black Friday promotion.
December: Keep selling
Digital vouchers and Post-Transaction Codes can help extend your holiday selling window after shipping deadlines have passed. Keep gift messaging active and give last-minute shoppers an easy way to purchase now and redeem later.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday Offer Ideas
The best holiday Offers don't necessarily require new inventory. They can package the inventory you already have in a way that feels timely and giftable.
Holiday Mini Packs
Give fans an easy entry point with 2-, 3- or 4-game packs at one clear price.
FEVO feature to use: Flex Plans
Let buyers choose the games that work for them while giving you control over which inventory is included.
Anchor Game Flex Plans
Use a high-demand game as the anchor for a package that includes additional games.
This can help turn demand for one date into sales across the schedule while giving fans more value.
FEVO feature to use: Flex Plans
Build different tiers around an anchor game and give buyers a controlled selection of additional events.
Holiday Bundles
Combine tickets with merchandise, food and beverage, parking or another event to create a more complete gift.
Clear descriptions are especially important here. Spell out every inclusion and its value so buyers immediately understand what they're getting.
FEVO feature to use: Add-ons and customizable Offers
Give fans more reasons to purchase without relying solely on a deeper discount.
Ticket Vouchers & Future Redemption
Not every gift-giver knows which game or date their recipient wants. A voucher lets them purchase now while giving the recipient flexibility later.
FEVO feature to use: Post-Transaction Codes
Use unique or generic codes after purchase for future redemption, promotions, loyalty initiatives or other post-purchase opportunities.
This can also create a natural opportunity for an upsell when the recipient returns to redeem their code.
Named-Game Discounts & Flash Sales
Specificity makes holiday promotions easier to understand.
Instead of a generic "Black Friday Offer," name the game, package or benefit directly. Consider BOGO promotions, no-fee Offers or short-window discounts on premium inventory.
FEVO feature to use: Offer Landing Pages
Bring multiple holiday promotions together in one branded Offer Landing Page so fans have a single destination to browse all of your available deals.
Verified Community Offers
Create exclusive holiday pricing for verified communities such as military members, first responders or teachers.
FEVO feature to use: ID.me
ID.me verification helps ensure exclusive pricing reaches the intended audience while adding another layer of control to your Offer.
Holiday Deals Hubs
Give fans one destination for your holiday promotions rather than sending them to multiple pages.
A branded Offer Page or Landing Page can bring together packs, discounts, premium inventory and member-only promotions while keeping the holiday campaign organized.
FEVO features to use: Landing Pages, Private Offers and quantity limits
Restrict access to specific audiences, protect limited inventory and give your marketing team one link to promote throughout the holiday season.
Make Black Friday and Cyber Monday Different
Your Black Friday and Cyber Monday Offers don't need to compete with each other.
Use Black Friday to create urgency around a headline deal, then give Cyber Monday its own angle.
For example:
Black Friday: Limited-time 5-game pack
Cyber Monday: Premium seat upgrade or next-season Offer
Black Friday: Named-game discount
Cyber Monday: Flex Plan
Black Friday: BOGO Promotion
Cyber Monday: Ticket + merch bundle
The goal is to give fans another reason to return on Monday while creating an additional purchase opportunity for fans who already bought on Friday.
Get More From Your Holiday Campaign With FEVO
A strong holiday campaign is about more than the Offer itself. It's also about how you distribute it, track it and turn one purchase into additional opportunities.
Make Offers easy to share
Social Checkout helps fans share ticket-buying experiences with their friends and family, giving your holiday Offers an opportunity to travel beyond your initial audience.
Track where sales come from
Use ref codes across email, social, SMS, paid media and partner channels to understand which campaigns are driving purchases.
Reach new audiences through Distribution
FEVO Distribution can put ticket Offers in front of audiences beyond your existing fan base, including opportunities through channels such as Costco Marketplace.
Give buyers more ways to pay
Activate available payment options, including digital wallets and Buy Now Pay Later, to reduce friction and make higher-value holiday purchases more accessible.
Protect exclusive Offers
Private Offers, promo codes, quantity limits and ID.me verification can help control who has access to holiday pricing and limited inventory.
Keep the relationship going after purchase
Post-Transaction Codes can turn a holiday purchase into a future buying opportunity. Use them for future discounts, redemption, loyalty initiatives, giveaways or other post-purchase campaigns.
Your 2026 Holiday Launch Checklist
Now through mid-October
- Identify the games, events and inventory you want to feature.
- Choose two or three holiday Offer types.
- Segment your audiences.
- Build Offers, creative and Landing Pages.
- Set up discount codes, restrictions and gating where needed.
- Test every checkout experience on mobile.
- Confirm all available payment options.
Mid-October through mid-November
- Launch early-bird and preview Offers.
- Begin email, social, SMS and creator promotion.
- Add ref codes to your campaign links.
- Build anticipation for your Black Friday promotion.
- Give select audiences early access where appropriate.
Cyber Week
- Have your Black Friday Offer live before Thanksgiving week.
- Use a clear, specific Offer name.
- Keep your messaging consistent across channels.
- Launch a distinct Cyber Monday Offer.
- Monitor results and make measured adjustments.
- Keep budget headroom for peak evening traffic.
December
- Shift messaging toward gifting and last-minute purchases.
- Promote digital vouchers and redeemable codes.
- Use Post-Transaction Codes to create future purchase opportunities.
- Refresh creative as Christmas approaches.
- Plan redemption and upsell opportunities for after the holidays.
Turn Holiday Shoppers Into Future Buyers
Black Friday and Cyber Monday don't have to be one-time sales moments.
A holiday mini pack can introduce a new fan to your team. A Flex Plan can fill multiple games. A bundle can increase the value of a single purchase. A voucher can bring someone back after the holidays. A Post-Transaction Code can create another purchase opportunity.
FEVO gives teams, venues, attractions and live event organizers the tools to build those Offers, reach new audiences and make it easier for fans to buy.
And there's more holiday support available. Visit FEVO's 2026 Holiday Hub for additional resources, campaign inspiration and links to more information to help you plan and execute your holiday ticket sales strategy.
The holiday selling window is short. Start building now so your Offers are ready before the rush.
Ready to plan your holiday strategy? Contact your FEVO Success Rep or OTE Team at training@fevo.com.
