For Event Organisers (Ticket Sellers) and Attendees (Ticket Buyers). This page answers the most common questions about how Bright Sparks works.
For Ticket Buyers
Do I need an account to buy a ticket?
No, you can buy a ticket as a guest using just your email address. Having an account isn’t required, though it may make it easier to find your past orders.
I bought a ticket for a recurring event (e.g. a weekly class). What happens?
For events that repeat (such as a weekly club or class), you’ll be asked to select which specific date(s) your ticket is valid for as part of the checkout process.
How do I get my ticket?
After paying, you can download your ticket directly from the confirmation page, and it’s also sent to the email address you provided at checkout.
Can I print my ticket, or do I need it on my phone?
Either works. You can print your ticket directly from the download page, save it as a PDF, or show the digital version (including its QR code) on your phone at the event. Event organisers will scan the QR code on your ticket to check you in, so having it open on your phone works just as well as a printout.
I can’t find my ticket email, what should I do?
First check your spam or junk folder. If you still can’t find it, contact the event organiser directly using the contact details on the event listing, they can look up your booking on their end.
I need a refund, who do I contact?
Refund requests should be made directly to the event organiser (the listing owner), not to Bright Sparks. Each event’s organiser sets and handles their own refund decisions for tickets to their event. Contact details for the organiser are shown on the event listing page.
Can I cancel or change my ticket booking?
This depends on the individual organiser’s policy for that event. Get in touch with them directly via the contact information on the event page to ask about changes or cancellations.
The event I booked for has been cancelled or postponed, what happens to my ticket?
The event organiser is responsible for notifying ticket holders and arranging refunds or rescheduling. Contact the organiser directly using the details on the event listing.
What if there’s an issue with my ticket at the door (e.g. it says “already used” or “not valid”)?
This is checked by the organiser on-site, so speak to a member of their team at the event. Common causes include the ticket already being scanned once (single entry only) or a ticket bought for a different date of a recurring event.
For Event Organisers
How do I list my event on Bright Sparks?
- Register for a free account.
- Log in, click on ‘Account’ in the header of the page, then on ‘Profile’.
- On your Profile page, click ‘Submit Event’.
- Fill in your event details, then submit it for review.
Do I need an account to submit an event?
Yes. You’ll need to register with an email address and log in before you can add a listing or sell tickets.
Is it free to list an event?
Yes, listing an event on Bright Sparks is free. If you choose to sell tickets through the site, a service fee is deducted from each ticket sale (see the Payments section for more info below).
How long does it take for my event to go live?
Every listing is reviewed by our team before it is published. This helps keep listings accurate and the directory trustworthy. We aim to approve events within 48 hours. You’ll be notified once your event has been approved and is live.
Can I edit my event listing after it’s published?
Yes, log in and go to your or profile page to find and edit your existing listings.
I run a venue or organisation with someone else already managing our listing – can I take it over?
Yes. If a listing already exists for your event or venue, look for the “Claim This Listing” button on the listing page. Once your claim is approved, you’ll be able to manage and update it yourself.
Setting up ticket sales
How do I start selling tickets for my event?
Once logged in and viewing your approved and published event listing, you’ll see a “Sell Tickets” button. Click it to open the ticket setup window.
What information do I need to set up a ticket?
- Ticket name (e.g. “General Admission,” “Child,” “Member”)
- Ticket price
- Available quantity
Can I offer more than one type of ticket for the same event (e.g. adult/child, or different price tiers)?
Yes. Use the “Add more tickets” option when setting up tickets to create multiple ticket types, each with its own name, price and quantity.
Can I sell free tickets (e.g. for a free event that still needs booking)?
Yes, set the ticket price to £0. This lets you track attendance and manage capacity, even though no payment is taken.
Can I limit the number of tickets available?
Yes, you set the available quantity for each ticket type when creating it. Once that quantity sells out, that ticket type will no longer be available to buy. You will get an email notification when ticket numbers are running low.
My event is recurring (e.g. weekly) — how do tickets work for that?
Buyers will be asked to choose which date(s) they want their ticket to be valid for during checkout, so you can sell tickets to a single occurrence of a recurring event.
Can I change the ticket price or quantity after I’ve created it?
Yes, click the “Ticket Management” button on your event listing to edit your existing ticket types, including adjusting prices and quantities.
Managing sales and check-in
How do I see who has bought tickets to my event?
Open “Ticket Management” on your event listing and go to the “Sales” tab to see a list of everyone who has purchased a ticket.
How can I check how my ticket sales are doing?
The “Report” tab within Ticket Management shows sales statistics and insights for your event.
How do I check people in on the day of the event?
Use the “Scanner” tab within Ticket Management. You can scan each attendee’s ticket QR code (or enter the ticket number manually) to validate it and mark it as used.
What do the different ticket statuses mean when I scan them?
- Valid (green) — the ticket is for today’s event and hasn’t been used yet. You can redeem/check the attendee in.
- Ticket valid for future date (yellow) — the ticket is genuine but is booked for a different, upcoming date.
- Already used (yellow) — this ticket has already been scanned and redeemed.
- Not valid (red) — this ticket isn’t for this event.
- Expired (red) — this ticket was for a date that has already passed.
Can I check tickets in using my phone, or do I need special equipment?
No special equipment is needed — the Scanner tool works through your phone’s or device’s camera via your web browser, the Bright Sparks App, or you can type in the ticket number manually.
Someone says they bought a ticket but it’s not showing up — what do I do?
Check the Sales tab in Ticket Management for their name or email. If you still can’t locate the booking, ask them for their confirmation email or invoice as proof of purchase.
How do I resend a ticket?
Head to your event page, click on the ‘Ticket Management’ button. Under the sales tab find the name and email of your buyer. Click on the three dots under ‘Actions’, where you’ll see the option to resend ticket(s).
Payments, fees, and payouts
What fees does Bright Sparks charge on ticket sales?
Bright Sparks deducts a 10% service fee from each ticket sold, which covers secure payment processing, ticket hosting, and ongoing platform support. This is automatically reflected in your Wallet balance.
Can I pass the service fee on to my buyers instead of paying it myself?
There isn’t a separate “add a fee at checkout” feature — instead, you can build the fee into your ticket price so the amount you actually want to receive lands in your Wallet after the 10% service fee is deducted.
To work out the price to charge: Divide the amount you want to receive by 0.9 (i.e. 1 minus 10%). Example: if you want to net £20 per ticket after the service fee, charge £20 ÷ 0.9 = £22.22. After the 10% service fee (£2.22) is deducted, you’ll receive £20.00 in your Wallet.
How do I get paid for the tickets I sell?
Ticket sale proceeds (minus the service fee) are added to your Wallet balance on the site. You can withdraw your balance to your PayPal account at any time using the Wallet/withdrawal option in your account area.
Do I need a PayPal account to receive payouts?
Yes, payouts are currently made via PayPal, so you’ll need a PayPal account linked or provided in order to withdraw your earnings.
How long does it take to receive a payout after I request a withdrawal?
Can I leave my earnings in my Wallet and withdraw later?
Yes, there’s no requirement to withdraw immediately after a sale. Your balance accumulates in your Wallet until you choose to withdraw it.
Where can I see how much I’ve earned, and from which events?
Your Wallet shows your current balance, and the Report tab within Ticket Management for each event shows sales and earnings insights specific to that event.
What happens if I issue a refund to a buyer?
If you refund a buyer’s ticket, this is reflected in your Wallet balance. As the seller, you’re responsible for managing and processing refund decisions for your own events.
How do I issue a refund to a buyer?
Head to your event page, click on the ‘Ticket Management’ button. Under the sales tab find the name and email of your buyer. Click on the three dots under ‘Actions’, where you’ll see the option to refund ticket(s).
Will I be taxed on my ticket sales income?
As the event organiser, you’re responsible for your own taxes on income earned through ticket sales. We’d recommend speaking to an accountant or HMRC if you’re unsure.
Troubleshooting
I don’t see a “Sell Tickets” button on my event — why not?
Make sure you’re logged in and viewing your own published event listing. If your event hasn’t been approved yet, ticket sales will not be visible until it’s live. If it has been approved, try clearing your browser cache. If the button is still missing, contact hello@brightsparksguide.org.uk.
A buyer says they paid but didn’t get their ticket — what should I check?
Ask them to check spam/junk folders first. You can also check the Sales tab in your Ticket Management to confirm the payment went through on your end, and resend the ticket if you need to.
Still Need Help?
If your question isn’t answered here, get in touch with Bright Sparks:
- Email: hello@brightsparksguide.org.uk or submit a support request in the bottom right corner of any page on the website.
- For questions about a specific event or ticket, contact the event organiser directly using the details on the event listing page.