A new report from Zelle shows that 76% of Gen Z consumers who have fronted money for a group expense were not fully repaid, with nearly half going into debt to cover the costs.
The Financial Risk of Group Ticket Buying
Live entertainment is built around shared experiences, but the ticketing process often concentrates financial risk on a single buyer. When a high-demand event goes on sale, there is rarely time to collect funds from every friend, confirm budgets, or debate seating options. One person must act quickly, placing the entire purchase on their own credit card.
Zelle’s Avoidance Economy Report found that 47% of Gen Z respondents reported going into debt to cover group expenses. More than half said the experience created tension or negatively affected a relationship.
Gen Z was the highest-spending generation surveyed for major travel and event experiences. 37% reported spending at least $2,501 per person on average for events such as Coachella, the World Cup, the US Open and the Super Bowl.
Payment Delays and ‘Payment Avoidance’
Digital payment requests can be sent in seconds, but repayment often takes months. The study found that some Gen Z consumers delay settling shared expenses significantly:
- 18% said repayment could take up to one month
- 10% said it could take between two and six months
- 11% said it could take longer than six months
Zelle describes this behavior as “Payment Avoidance”: delaying, ignoring or withdrawing from conversations about money. 20% of Gen Z respondents had canceled plans or muted group chats to avoid repayment, and one-third said settling shared expenses caused stress or anxiety.
Strained Relationships and Lasting Consequences
The higher the cost of live entertainment, the more financially exposed the designated buyer becomes. That person may carry a credit card balance, absorb interest, or temporarily lose access to funds needed for essentials. Asking to be repaid can feel impolite, even when the request is reasonable, turning a simple transaction into a friendship problem.
According to the report, 25% of Gen Z respondents said repayment problems had damaged a relationship over the long term. 14% said they had ended a friendship or relationship over a repayment dispute.
Digital Tools Help, but Structural Issues Remain
Among 1,000 frequent Zelle users surveyed, 80% said the service helped them get paid faster, 68% said it made splitting costs more equitable, and half said it reduced the awkwardness of settling shared expenses. The findings are based on a survey of frequent Zelle users and reflect product-oriented research.
The report notes that ticketing platforms could introduce features such as split-payment options, short group reservation windows, and individual payment links to reduce the financial burden on a single buyer.
