The Federal Trade Commission, joined by a bipartisan group of state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit Thursday accusing Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation of driving up ticket prices for concerts and events through deceptive and anti-competitive practices.
Alleged Deception
According to the FTC, Ticketmaster advertises lower prices than consumers actually pay and falsely claims to limit ticket purchases. The agency says the company works with brokers who create fake accounts to buy large numbers of tickets, later reselling them at steep markups on Ticketmaster’s own platform—allowing Ticketmaster to collect extra fees.
Market Power and Consumer Impact
Ticketmaster controls more than 80% of primary ticketing for major U.S. venues. Between 2019 and 2024, consumers spent over $82.6 billion on tickets through the company. FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson said live entertainment “should not cost an arm and a leg” and called for fairer access to events.
Legal Action
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, is backed by attorneys general from Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. Live Nation has not publicly commented.
Industry Under Scrutiny
Ticketmaster has faced mounting criticism since the 2022 Taylor Swift Eras Tour ticketing fiasco. The Biden administration responded with new “junk fee” rules in May requiring upfront price disclosure. Former President Donald Trump also issued an executive order earlier this year urging stronger oversight of ticket resellers.
Ongoing Enforcement
The FTC continues broader enforcement, including an August lawsuit against a Maryland-based broker accused of using thousands of fake accounts to scoop up tickets for resale. The case against Ticketmaster aims to curb practices that regulators say harm artists and fans alike.
For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.