US regulators have filed a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation, accusing them of working with ticket brokers to inflate prices and pocket billions in resale fees.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), joined by seven states, alleges the companies knowingly allowed brokers to bypass purchase limits set by artists, securing large numbers of tickets that were later resold on Ticketmaster’s own platform at steep markups. Between 2019 and 2024, the firms collected an estimated $3.7bn (£2.7bn) in resale fees.
FTC chair Andrew Ferguson said the scheme hurt fans:
“American live entertainment is the best in the world and should be accessible to all of us. It should not cost an arm and a leg to take the family to a baseball game or attend your favorite musician’s show.”
The lawsuit also accuses Ticketmaster of misleading consumers by advertising lower prices than what they actually paid once hidden fees were added.
Longstanding Scrutiny
Ticketmaster dominates the US ticketing market, controlling about 80% of sales for major venues. It has faced repeated criticism, most notably in 2022 when its system collapsed under demand for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour tickets.
The company’s power stems from a 2010 merger with concert promoter Live Nation, creating a single giant that promotes shows, sells tickets, and owns venues—a role the Justice Department has described as making it a “gatekeeper” for live entertainment.
This isn’t the first legal challenge: the DOJ filed an antitrust lawsuit in 2024, accusing Live Nation of suppressing competition and driving up ticket prices. A judge recently allowed that case to move forward, rejecting Live Nation’s bid to dismiss it.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster have not yet commented on the latest allegations.
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