GoFan

About GoFan

GoFan operates as a digital ticketing platform tailored for the high school events market. The company originated as a product of Huddle Tickets, which was founded in 2001 and specialized in providing paper tickets for schools. Recognizing the shift towards digital solutions, Huddle launched GoFan to transition from paper to a mobile-first ticketing system. B.J. Pilling was instrumental in GoFan's development, leading its launch and growth from its inception before becoming CEO. His background includes roles at IMG and an eight-year tenure at Huddle, Inc., focusing on product development and digital strategy. In April 2022, GoFan announced a merger with PlayOn! Sports, a high school sports media and technology company, to create a combined platform for ticketing and streaming.

The company's primary clients are K-12 schools, school districts, and state athletic associations, for which it provides a comprehensive event management solution. GoFan's business model is structured to be free for schools. Revenue is generated from a convenience fee added to each ticket purchased by attendees. For tickets priced at $10 or less, the fee is $1, while for tickets above $10, it's $1 plus 5% of the ticket's face value. Schools receive 100% of the ticket revenue, which is paid out weekly via direct deposit or check. An additional revenue stream comes from a sponsorship program where GoFan secures local business advertisements on digital tickets and shares the net revenue with the school.

GoFan offers a turnkey platform that enables schools to manage ticketing for a wide range of events, including athletics, performing arts, proms, and camps. The system eliminates the need for cash handling and provides detailed financial reporting and reconciliation tools for school administrators. For fans, GoFan provides a mobile app on both iOS and Android where they can search for their school, purchase tickets, and present them on their mobile device for entry. The platform supports features like reserved seating, where users can select specific seats from a virtual venue map. To address potential connectivity issues at venues, tickets can be validated offline. The company also offers GoFan Box Office, which uses card readers to accept on-site payments via credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.