FTC Takes Action: Live Nation and Ticketmaster Face Accusations for Illegally Reselling Event Tickets

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several state prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster. They claim these companies have made it easy for ticket brokers to buy up tickets and resell them at high prices, costing consumers billions.

In a detailed complaint, the FTC says Ticketmaster uses “bait-and-switch” tactics by advertising low prices that aren’t available. They sell millions of tickets to brokers, often at much higher prices, despite artists’ wishes to limit such sales. The FTC noted that while Ticketmaster publicly opposes ticket brokers, internally, it benefits from their actions.

The lawsuit cites violations of laws against deceptive sales practices, including the Better Online Ticket Sales Act. Attorneys general from states such as Colorado, Florida, and Illinois have joined in the action.

FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson expressed frustration over ticket costs, stating it shouldn’t be so expensive for families to enjoy events. From 2019 to 2024, consumers spent close to $83 billion on tickets through Ticketmaster, which dominates about 80% of major event sales.

Recently, the Department of Justice also filed a lawsuit against Live Nation, suggesting they have monopolized the live entertainment industry unfairly. Live Nation acquired Ticketmaster in 2009, which has led to concerns about competition and consumer choice in the ticketing market.

Events like this highlight ongoing debates about fair pricing in the entertainment industry. Many fans take to social media to share their frustrations about ticket prices and availability, demonstrating a growing demand for change. With greater scrutiny on these practices, consumers may finally see a shift toward fairer ticketing in the future.

For more details, you can read the FTC’s full complaint here and the latest news from the FTC here.

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Federal Trade Commission, Live Nation, Ticketmaster