Organizer guide: Overview of memberships and season passes
This guide explains how memberships work in Showpass and how to use them to offer season passes, loyalty programs, and other recurring access products that build long-term attendee engagement.
How it works: three steps
Getting a membership live on Showpass follows the same pattern every time:
|
1. Build Create a membership group and add your pricing tiers (levels). Configure benefits — scan access, issued tickets, or discounts. |
2. Sell Publish and share the membership link. Fans purchase directly on Showpass and select their seats. You issue game tickets as your schedule is confirmed. |
3. Renew At season end, add a new season to your existing membership. Activate renewals — members keep their seats and the cycle continues. |
What is a membership?
A membership is a customizable product that grants attendees access to perks such as bundled tickets, exclusive discounts, scan-based entry, or renewable season passes. Organizers can configure multiple pricing tiers and benefits based on their pricing strategy and audience.
Season passes are a form of membership that allow fans to purchase access to multiple events in a season — with seat retention so members keep the same seats year over year.
Why use memberships?
- Streamlined access: Members enter events using a QR code — no need for individual ticket purchases each game.
- Seat retention: Season pass holders retain the same seats from season to season through the renewal process.
- Self-serve renewals: Members are automatically notified before their season expires and can renew on their own — no manual work for organizers.
- Flexible pricing tiers: Create General, VIP, Youth, Senior, or any combination of levels with different prices and benefits.
- Bundled benefits: Include ticket access, member-only discounts, early access, and more.
- Single game exchanges: Season pass holders can exchange individual game tickets they can’t use for another game in the same season.
Who should use memberships?
Memberships and season passes are well-suited for:
- Sports teams offering season tickets with automatic renewals and seat retention
- Attractions like museums and galleries with daily or repeat access needs
- Theatres or performing arts groups with recurring show schedules
- Festivals providing multi-day access or tiered VIP benefits
- Clubs and associations offering exclusive events or member-only perks
Note: Memberships are available on Professional and Premium Showpass plans. They are not available on the Essential plan.
Key terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Membership Group | The overall container for your membership product. Holds all levels and shared benefits. |
| Membership Level | A specific pricing tier within a group (e.g., Youth, Adult, Senior). Each level can have its own price, inventory, and benefits. |
| Season Pass | A form of membership giving access to multiple events in a season, typically with seat retention. |
| Season | A defined period covering multiple events (e.g., a full hockey season). Each season has its own start/end dates and renewal settings. |
| Renewal Window | The period during which existing members can renew and retain their current seats before they are released to the public. |
| Ticket Batch | A group of tickets issued to members for one or more events. Batches are how individual game tickets are delivered to season pass holders. |
| Revenue Realization | A setting that distributes season pass revenue across all included events for accurate financial reporting. |
Important limitations
- Memberships must be purchased directly on Showpass — they cannot be purchased through an embedded widget on your website.
- Guest checkout is not available — buyers must create a Showpass account to complete a membership purchase.
- Payout timing — payouts typically take place following the conclusion of a season, unless otherwise arranged with Showpass.
- Assigned seating only — season passes with ticket batches currently only work with assigned seating maps, not general admission events.
Next steps
To begin building and configuring your memberships, check out these guides:
FAQs
Can I offer both one-time and renewable memberships?
Yes. Showpass supports both non-renewable and seasonal memberships based on how you configure your membership group.
Do members keep their seats when they renew?
Yes. Season pass holders can retain their same seats when they renew before the renewal deadline. After the deadline, any unrenewed seats are released to the public.
Can members buy tickets to games not included in their membership?
Yes. Members can still purchase single-game tickets separately. Organizers can also send hold links to give members first access to their usual seats for playoff games or other events not included in the base season pass.
Can a season pass holder exchange a ticket for a game they can’t attend?
Yes. Season pass holders can exchange individual game tickets for another game within the same season. See Single game exchanges for details.
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