Calculate the minimum paid attendance needed for allocated ticket or event revenue to recover fixed seating costs and per-attendee seating expenses. The tool accounts for payment fees, shows contribution per attendee, and compares the threshold with expected attendance—useful for ticketed receptions, wedding showcases, and other revenue-backed seating plans.
The main result is the smallest whole paid attendance that covers modeled seating costs and the optional target surplus.
Use only revenue genuinely allocated to the seating plan. This estimate does not determine the room’s safe or legal capacity.
With $4,000 fixed costs, $80 revenue per attendee, $28 variable seating cost, and 3% fees, contribution is $49.60. The break-even threshold is $4,000 ÷ $49.60 = 80.65, so at least 81 paid attendees are required.
Use only the portion of paid-attendee revenue that is available to cover seating costs.
Percentage fees reduce the cash retained from each paid attendee.
Yes. Enter it as target surplus, which is added to fixed costs before the threshold is calculated.
There is no attendance-based break-even because each additional attendee increases the shortfall.
No. Compare the required attendance separately with the venue’s approved capacity and layout.
| Variable | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Fixed costs | Do not change with attendance |
| Net revenue | Allocated revenue after percentage fees |
| Variable cost | Added for each attendee |
| Target surplus | Added to the amount contribution must cover |