Abstract: A method for distributing event tickets for events operated by a plurality of operators ordered through a retail travel website includes several steps. Operator account information for each of the operators to establish operator accounts is received at a clearinghouse central computer. Event information for each of the events is received at the clearinghouse computer, and the information is made available from the clearinghouse computer. A purchase request to purchase an event ticket is received at the retail travel website. An electronic communication is transmitted to a customer computer, producing a printable encoded electronic ticket. A printed encoded portion of the printed ticket is scanned at an event location. A request to validate the authenticity of the ticket is received at the clearinghouse computer. The ticket is then identified as used in the clearinghouse computer to prevent the ticket from being used again.