View source for Ticketmaster

{{Short description|American ticket sales company}}
{{redirect|Ticket Master|the [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]] episode|The Ticket Master}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Ticketmaster Entertainment, LLC
| logo = [[File:TicketMaster wordmark.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|October 2, 1976}}, in [[Phoenix, Arizona]], U.S.
| founders = {{ubl|Albert Leffler|Peter Gadwa|Gordon Gunn III|Jerry Nelson}}
| hq_location_city = [[Beverly Hills, California]]
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| key_people = {{ubl|[[Michael Rapino]] ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])|Mark Yovich ([[President (corporate title)|president]])}}
| area_served = Worldwide
| industry = [[Entertainment industry|Entertainment]]
| products = {{ubl|Ticketing technology|Ticket sales|Ticket resales|Marketing|Distribution of event tickets and information|Support of venue renovation}}
| revenue = $23.16 billion in 2024
| num_employees = 6,678
| parent = [[Live Nation Entertainment]] (2010–present)
| homepage = {{URL|ticketmaster.com/about/about-us.html|ticketmaster.com}}
}}

'''Ticketmaster Entertainment, LLC''' is an American [[primary ticket outlet|ticket sales]] and distribution company based in [[Beverly Hills, California]], with operations in many countries around the world. In 2010, it merged with events/concert promoter [[Live Nation (events promoter)|Live Nation]] under the name [[Live Nation Entertainment]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ticketmaster-livenation-idUSTRE60O4E520100126|title=Live Nation, Ticketmaster merge; agree to U.S. terms|last1=Pelofsky|first1=Jeremy|date=25 January 2010|work=[[Reuters]]|last2=Adegoke|first2=Yinka}}</ref> with both brand names continuing to operate as subsidiaries of Live Nation Entertainment. 

The company's ticket sales are fulfilled digitally or at its two main fulfillment centers located in [[Charleston, West Virginia]], and [[Pharr, Texas]], for both [[primary ticket outlet|primary]] and secondary markets. Ticketmaster's clients include venues, artists and promoters. Clients control their events and set ticket prices, and Ticketmaster sells tickets that the clients make available to them. Ticketmaster also owns and operates TicketWeb, a ticketing website geared  towards independent venues.

Ticketmaster is subject to numerous controversies and lawsuits, alleging violations of various laws. The platform charges a fee on tickets purchased and resold on the platform. The fees from ticket sales can account for a large percentage of overall ticket costs and have received scrutiny from regulators, customers, and musicians. The company has also faced scrutiny from the [[United States Department of Justice]] for retaliation against venues violating its 2010 10-year consent decree from the Live Nation merger, which has been extended an additional five years from 2020 through 2025.

Following the [[2022 Ticketmaster controversy|widespread criticism of the company's handling]] of the pre-sale of [[Taylor Swift]]'s [[The Eras Tour]] in November 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) began a formal investigation into Live Nation Entertainment on the grounds of [[monopoly]], [[antitrust law]] and [[consumer rights]] violations. The [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee]] examined the merger with a hearing in January 2023. On May 23, 2024, the DOJ and a coalition of 29 states formally [[United States v. Live Nation Entertainment|launched an antitrust suit]] against Live Nation and Ticketmaster.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last1=Michaels |first1=Dave |last2=Steele |first2=Anne |date=2024-05-23 |title=Justice Department Sues to Break Up Live Nation-Ticketmaster |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/media/ticketmaster-live-nation-sued-justice-department-monopoly-d9442a75 |access-date=2024-05-24 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> An additional 10 states joined the lawsuit, bringing the total number of co-plaintiffs to 40.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-19 |title=Ten Additional States Join Justice Department's Suit Against Live Nation-Ticketmaster for Monopolizing Markets Across the Live Concert Industry |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ten-additional-states-join-justice-departments-suit-against-live-nation-ticketmaster |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=United States Department of Justice |language=en |quote="The department, and its now-expanded group of 40 co-plaintiffs, filed an amended complaint in the Southern District of New York."}}</ref>

== History ==
Ticketmaster was founded in [[Phoenix, Arizona]] in 1976<ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=https://www.stufftheydontwantyoutoknow.com/podcasts/the-ticketmaster-racket.htm|title=The Ticketmaster Racket|date=2019-05-02|website=Stuff They Dont Want You to Know|language=en|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref> by college staffers Peter Gadwa and Albert Leffler, Gordon Gunn III, as well as businessman Jerry Nelson.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119577310548201479|title=Ticket Master's Place|last=Lewis|first=Christina S. N.|date=2007-11-23|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=2019-04-04|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-01-31-fi-5143-story.html|title=Rival to Ticketron : Ticketmaster Emerging as Force in L.A.|date=1985-01-31|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-04-04}}</ref> The company originally licensed computer programs and sold hardware for ticketing systems. Its first ticketed concert was [[Electric Light Orchestra]], held at the [[University of New Mexico]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/business/media-industry/ticketmaster-ORCRP0000008973-topic.html|title=Ticketmaster|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=September 20, 2018 |access-date=2019-04-04}}</ref>

In 1982, [[Fred Rosen (businessman)|Fred Rosen]] was appointed CEO of Ticketmaster and moved the company to [[Los Angeles]] to be closer to the live entertainment industry. The move enabled the company to build contracts with many well-known venues including the [[Kia Forum|LA Forum]]. Rosen drove investment into the company and led the switch to computerized ticketing.<ref name="20yrs" /> By 1985 the company had operations in the [[United States|U.S.]], [[Canada]] and [[Europe]].<ref name=":0" /> Under Rosen, the company moved into publishing and set up a travel agency and acquired rival [[Ticketron]] in 1991, making it the market leader.<ref name="20yrs" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/28/business/company-news-ticketmaster-deal-to-get-ticketron.html|access-date=May 30, 2020|title=Ticketmaster Deal To Get Ticketron|newspaper=The New York Times |page=4 (section D)|date=February 28, 1991}}</ref>

In November 1993, [[Microsoft]] co-founder [[Paul Allen]] acquired an 80% stake for more than $325 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-11-23-9311230042-story.html|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=November 22, 1993|title=MICROSOFT CO-FOUNDER PAUL ALLEN BUYS CONTROL OF TICKETMASTER|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref><ref name=20yrs>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|page=17|title=Industry's #1 has a ticket to rule|last=Sandler|first=Adam}}</ref>

=== InterActiveCorp years ===
In 1998, [[USA Network|USA Networks Inc]]., later named [[IAC (company)|InterActiveCorp]] (IAC), purchased a majority stake in Ticketmaster.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/1998/biz/news/usa-picks-up-ticketmaster-1117469061/|title=USA picks up Ticketmaster|author=((Reuters))|date=1998-03-24|magazine=Variety|access-date=2019-04-12}}</ref> That same year, the company merged with CitySearch and was renamed Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/1998/08/citysearch-joins-ticketmaster/|title=CitySearch Joins Ticketmaster|last=Bicknell|first=Craig|date=1998-08-13|magazine=Wired|access-date=2019-04-12}}</ref> In May 2000, Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch acquired TicketWeb Inc., a ticket vendor that sold tickets online and over the phone.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB959636314630051866|title=Ticketmaster Buys TicketWeb In Bid to Diversify Offerings|first=Bruce|last=Orwall|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=May 30, 2000|access-date=2019-04-12}}</ref> In 2003, IAC repurchased the remaining Ticketmaster stock that it had previously sold off.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/06/business/technology-usa-interactive-is-acquiring-lendingtree-in-stock-deal.html|title=TECHNOLOGY; USA Interactive Is Acquiring LendingTree in Stock Deal|last=Hansell|first=Saul|date=2003-05-06|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-04-12}}</ref>

In September 2006, Ticketmaster President Sean Moriarty told [[NPR]] that Ticketmaster had lobbied several states to enact laws that would limit the ticket resale market to authorized companies. Economists worried these laws would harm competition, but Moriarty expressed the need to reduce corrupt [[Ticket resale|scalpers]] and [[counterfeit]] tickets.<ref>{{cite news |last=Davidson |first=Adam |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6056146 |title=Ticketmaster Targets Secondary Market |publisher=[[NPR]] |language=en-US |access-date=2019-04-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172719/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6056146 |archive-date=2016-03-03}}</ref>

In January 2008, Ticketmaster acquired Paciolan Inc., a developer of ticketing system applications and hosted ticketing systems, after litigation over the potential breach of [[Competition law|antitrust laws]].<ref>[http://documentlibraries.org/reports/acknowledgements/index.html Yahoo! Business] Form 10-Q for Ticketmaster {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219010649/http://documentlibraries.org/reports/acknowledgements/index.html|date=December 19, 2014}}</ref> Also in January, Ticketmaster acquired the UK-based secondary ticket marketplace, Getmein.com.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/2783602/Ticketmaster-moves-into-UK-concert-resales.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/2783602/Ticketmaster-moves-into-UK-concert-resales.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Ticketmaster moves into UK concert resales|last=White|first=Dominic|date=29 January 2008|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> And finally, in that same January, Ticketmaster acquired TicketsNow, a ticket reseller in the United States, for $265 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120036522352890281|title=Ticketmaster Buys Major Reseller|last=Smith|first=Ethan|date=2008-01-15|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref>

IAC spun off Ticketmaster as its own company in the summer of 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jun-24-fi-iac24-story.html|title=IAC to spin off ticket seller|date=2008-06-24|access-date=2019-04-12|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Later in 2008, Ticketmaster acquired Front Line Management, an artist management firm that worked with artists such as [[Aerosmith]], [[Christina Aguilera]] and [[Jimmy Buffett]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2008/10/ticketmaster-ac/|title=Ticketmaster Acquires Majority of Front Line Management|last=Buskirk|date=2008-10-23|magazine=Wired|access-date=2019-04-12}}</ref> Front Line CEO [[Irving Azoff]] became CEO of the new company, which was renamed Ticketmaster Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ticketmaster-takes-stake-front-line-121638|title=Ticketmaster takes stake in Front Line|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 23, 2008|access-date=2019-04-12}}</ref>

=== Live Nation merger ===
In February 2009, Ticketmaster entered into an agreement to merge with event promoter [[Live Nation (events promoter)|Live Nation]] to form [[Live Nation Entertainment]].<ref name="merger">[http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/live-nation-and-ticketmaster-agree-to-merge/ Live Nation and Ticketmaster Agree to Merge] New York Times. 10 February 2009.</ref> The deal was cleared by the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Justice Department]] in January 2010 under the condition that the company sell Paciolan to [[Comcast Spectacor]] or another firm, and license its software to [[Anschutz Entertainment Group]] (AEG), its biggest competitor.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/business/26ticket.html|title=Justice Dept. Clears Ticketmaster-Live Nation Merger|last=Sisario|date=2010-01-25|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-04-12}}</ref> The new company, which would be called Live Nation Entertainment, would also be subject to provisions for 10 years that prevented it from retaliating against venues that partnered with competing ticketing firms.<ref name=":1" /> When the DOJ planned to bring court proceedings against the company in 2020 for six violations to these provisions, Live Nation agreed to a settlement that extended them an additional fine years to 2025.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Dave |date=2020-01-14 |title=Despite Multiple Consent Decree Violations, Live Nation Gets Slap on Wrist from DOJ |url=https://www.ticketnews.com/2020/01/live-nation-consent-decree-doj-slap-on-wrist/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=TicketNews |language=en-US}}</ref> Live Nation CEO [[Michael Rapino]] was named CEO of the new company.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ticketmaster-livenation-idUSTRE5194DL20090210|title=Live Nation to buy Ticketmaster|date=2009-02-10|work=Reuters|access-date=2019-06-13}}</ref>

One year after merging, Live Nation settled a previous class action lawsuit against Ticketmaster which alleged that the company had misled plaintiffs in its descriptions of delivery and processing fees.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1179485/live-nation-to-pay-223-million-to-settle-class-action-suit-against|title=Live Nation to Pay $22.3 Million to Settle Class Action Suit Against Ticketmaster|date=27 January 2011|magazine=Billboard Magazine}}</ref>

=== Growth and acquisitions ===
In 2015, Ticketmaster acquired Front Gate Tickets, a music festival ticketing service that provided services for festivals including [[Lollapalooza]] and [[Austin City Limits Music Festival|Austin City Limits]].<ref name=":2a">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6590823/ticketmaster-acquires-front-gate-live-nation-universe|title=Ticketmaster Acquires Festival Ticketer Front Gate|magazine=[[Billboard Magazine]]|access-date=2019-04-12}}</ref> The same year, the company acquired Universe, a DIY ticketing platform,<ref name=":2a" /> and [[Two Toasters]], a mobile app developer.<ref name=acquisition>{{cite web|last1=Ranii|first1=David|title=Durham's Two Toasters acquired by Ticketmaster|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article17009231.html|website=The News & Observer|accessdate=16 April 2015|date=31 March 2015}}</ref> In 2017, TicketWeb, Ticketmaster's self-service ticketing platform, acquired Strobe Labs, a marketing platform that allows users to market to fans through social media.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2017/08/11/ticketmaster-buys-marketing-platform-strobe-labs.html|title=Ticketmaster buys marketing platform to help clubs engage with fans|last=Ellisngson|first=Annlee}}</ref> In 2018, Ticketmaster acquired UPGRADED, a company which converts physical tickets into digital ones, utilising [[blockchain]].<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ticketmaster-acquires-blockchain-ticketing-solution-upgraded-300732863.html|title=Ticketmaster Acquires Blockchain Ticketing Solution UPGRADED|publisher=Ticketmaster|via=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-16}}</ref> In 2020, Ticketmaster acquired Taiwan's Tixcraft ({{lang|zh|拓元售票}}) for entering the Asian market.<ref>{{cite news|title=Live Nation's Ticketmaster expands into Asia by acquiring Tixcraft|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2020/02/21/2003731337|date=2020-02-21|access-date=2025-02-20|last=Eddy Chang|work=Taipei Times}}</ref>

== Products and services ==
[[File:Ticketmaster paper ticket.jpg|right|thumb|A Ticketmaster paper ticket]]
Ticketmaster sells tickets that its clients make available to it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/07/11/online-ticket-sale-fees/|title=How To Avoid Online Ticket Sale Fees|date=2017-07-11|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref> In 2009, Ticketmaster released a digital ticketing system that required customers to prove their identity prior to purchase. The company believed this would help circumvent brokers and scalpers.<ref name="MSNBC">{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna32898804|title=Ticketmaster tries to cut out scalpers again – Business – Retail – NBCNews.com|website=[[NBC News]]|date=2009-09-17|access-date=2013-10-10}}</ref>

In 2016, Ticketmaster released a statement in favor of the [[Better Online Tickets Sales Act|Better Online Ticket Sales Act]] (BOTS Act), which banned the use of ticket bots to buy large amounts of tickets online and resell them at inflated prices.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7625257/president-obama-signs-bots-act-law|title=President Obama Signs Anti-Scalping Bill Into Law|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-06-13}}</ref> The following year, the company filed a lawsuit against the ticket broker Prestige Entertainment after the company used bots to buy more than 30,000 tickets to the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] play "[[Hamilton (musical)|Hamilton]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/ticketmaster-hamilton-prestige-entertainment-renaissance-ventures-1202578292/|title=Ticketmaster Says Bot Army Bought 30,000 'Hamilton' Tickets|last1=Maddaus|first1=Gene|date=2017-10-02|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-06-13}}</ref>

The company reported nearly 500 million tickets sold for 400,000 events in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=28 February 2019 |title=Live Nation Posts Another Record Year, Revenue Up 11% |url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/live-nation-earnings-another-record-year-1203152480/ |url-status=live |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218100132/https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/live-nation-earnings-another-record-year-1203152480/ |archive-date=18 February 2021 |access-date=28 May 2021}}</ref>

In November 2020, Ticketmaster announced it will check the [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] [[COVID-19 vaccine|vaccination]] status of ticket buyers before issuing passes when live events return in 2021. Fans that either failed to verify their vaccination status or tested positive would be denied access to the event.<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-11-12 |title=Ticketmaster To Verify COVID Vaccination Status Of Fans Before Issuing Concert Passes |url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/11/12/ticketmaster-concert-covid-vaccine-coronavirus-testing-tickets/ |author=CBSLA Staff |website=losangeles.cbslocal.com |access-date=2020-11-13 |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415175146/https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/11/12/ticketmaster-concert-covid-vaccine-coronavirus-testing-tickets/ |archive-date=2021-04-15}}</ref>

=== Pricing ===
The face value of Ticketmaster tickets is determined by the artist or client.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=https://www.laweekly.com/music/ticketmaster-and-servants-bands-get-cut-of-service-fee-2158605|title=Ticketmaster and Servants: Bands Get Cut of Service Fee|last=Roberts|first=Randall|work=L.A. Weekly |date=2009-03-04|access-date=2019-04-12}}</ref> In addition to the face value price, venues and Ticketmaster add fees to pay for their services.<ref name="npr1">{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2009/09/podcast_the_economics_of_ticke.html|title=The Economics Of Ticketmaster : Planet Money|last=Conaway|first=Laura|date=2009-09-02|publisher=NPR|access-date=2013-10-10}}</ref>

Typically, fees added to a ticket's face value have included:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/08/Ticketmaster-a-new-era-of-transperancy-or-smoke-mirrors-.html|title=Ticketmaster's new blog: 'We get it -- you don't like service fees'|date=2010-08-23|access-date=2019-04-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/arts/music/string-cheese-incident-takes-on-ticketmaster.html|title=String Cheese Incident Takes On Ticketmaster|last=Sisario|date=2012-05-15|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-04-12}}</ref><ref name="tmHelp">Ticketmaster Help, "How are ticket prices and fees determined?". 2021. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210718080256/https://help%2Eticketmaster%2Ecom/s/article/How-are-ticket-prices-and-fees-determined%3Flanguage%3Den_US%20 Archived.]</ref>

*'''Facility charge''' – Charge added by the venue.
*'''Delivery fee''' – Charges added dependent on the ticket delivery method and credit card processing fees.
*'''Service fee''' – Sum of charges added based on the "agreement with each client (artists)" and the order processing fee. Ticketmaster "may earn a profit on the order processing fee".<ref name="tmHelp" />

As the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' has explained, "the 'service fee' is intentionally kept separate from the list price for two reasons: to make the base price of a ticket appear more affordable, and to create the impression that only Ticketmaster pockets that fee."<ref name="Brown">{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=August |title=Hating Ticketmaster long predates the Taylor Swift fiasco |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-01-23/ticketmaster-live-nation-taylor-swift-pearl-jam |access-date=28 January 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 23, 2023}}</ref>  In other words, "Ticketmaster is effectively paid to be a punching bag" for consumer frustration with opaque add-on fees, and then some of the fees find their way back to the artist or venue.<ref name="Brown" /> Utilizing such subterfuge to extract additional revenue from fans without arousing direct backlash towards themselves has become increasingly important for artists. The collapse of record album sales after the year 2000 means that as of the 2020s, 95 percent of artist income comes from [[concert tour]]s.<ref name="Tkacik">{{cite news |last1=Tkacik |first1=Maureen |last2=Brown |first2=Krista |title=Ticketmaster's Dark History: A 40-year saga of kickbacks, threats, political maneuvering, and the humiliation of Pearl Jam |url=https://prospect.org/power/ticketmasters-dark-history/ |access-date=28 January 2023 |work=The American Prospect |date=December 21, 2022}}</ref>

Fee amounts vary between events and are dependent on the venue, available delivery methods, and preferences of the artist.<ref name=":3" /> Some economists and activist groups have claimed that high ticket prices are due to a lack of competition within the music industry.<ref name="npr1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/02/11/ticketmaster-live-nation-tickets-concerts-business-media_0211_tickets.html#6d05626a6300|title=Angry About Tickets? Here's Who To Blame|last=Randall|website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>

In 2013, the [[jam band]] [[The String Cheese Incident]] gave fans money to purchase 400 tickets to one of its shows in order to resell them on its own site with fewer fees. The band said they were protesting Ticketmaster's ticket fees, while Ticketmaster argued that the band was taking revenue from venues and promoters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/arts/music/string-cheese-incident-takes-on-ticketmaster.html|title=String Cheese Incident Takes On Ticketmaster|last=Sisario|first=Ben|date=2012-05-15|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-06-13|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5936870/incident_fight_ticketmaster|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228012512/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5936870/incident_fight_ticketmaster|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-02-28|title=News|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2013-10-10}}</ref>

As of 2016, ticket resale was Ticketmaster's fastest growing business.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/d37c634c-e777-11e5-a09b-1f8b0d268c39 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/d37c634c-e777-11e5-a09b-1f8b0d268c39 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription|title=Live Nation calls for more aggressive ticket pricing from artists|first=Robert|last=Cookson|newspaper=Financial Times|date=13 March 2016}}</ref>

In 2022, Ticketmaster was experimenting with a demand-based, dynamic pricing which would vary the ticket price based upon demand. The new system is touted to give artists a higher share of the revenues that would otherwise be coming through resale ticket sales.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ticketmaster announces major change which could see tickets prices soar |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/ticketmaster-major-change-ticket-prices-131507105.html |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=uk.news.yahoo.com |date=October 10, 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In May 2025, Ticketmaster announced it would start showing how much buyers paid for tickets — fees included — before checkout. The company announced the “All In Prices” initiative as part of its efforts to comply with the Federal Trade Commission’s ban on junk fees, which goes into effect on May 12th 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-12 |title=Ticketmaster proudly announces it will follow the law and show prices up-front |url=https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/ticketmaster-proudly-announces-it-will-follow-the-law-and-show-prices-up-front-194624489.html |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Criticism and controversies==
{{Split section|discuss=Talk:Ticketmaster#Proposed split: "Criticism and controversies" section|date=August 2025}}
===Anti-competition claims===
In May 1994, the [[grunge]] band [[Pearl Jam]] filed a complaint with the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]] claiming Ticketmaster had cut the group out of venue bookings in a dispute over fees.<ref>{{cite news |last=Philips |first=Chuck |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-08-ca-1864-story.html |title=Pearl Jam vs. Ticketmaster: Choosing Sides : Legal file: The pop music world is divided over the Seattle band's allegations, which led to a Justice Department investigation into possible anti-competitive practices in the ticket distribution industry. |date=1994-06-08 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=2019-06-13 |language=en-US |issn=0458-3035 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308051300/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-08-ca-1864-story.html |archive-date=March 8, 2021}}</ref> The investigation was closed without action in 1995, though the Justice Department stated it would continue to monitor the developments in the ticket industry.<ref name=":7">{{cite news |last=Philips |first=Chuck |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xphyuggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggifffffffffffffffhithguhhdfujhgfuhuhfuhuhuhuhuhufdhufduddhfudddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddhhhhhuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum-1995-07-06-fi-20642-story.html |title=U.S. Drops Ticketmaster Antitrust Probe : Entertainment: Abrupt closure of investigation lifts cloud of uncertainty over firm, catches others in industry off guard. |date=1995-07-06 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=2019-06-13 |language=en-US |issn=0458-3035 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231164908/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-07-06-fi-20642-story.html |archive-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/06/arts/us-ends-ticketmaster-investigation.html |title=U.S. Ends Ticketmaster Investigation |last=Blumenthal |first=Ralph |date=1995-07-06 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=2019-06-13 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211033359/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/06/arts/us-ends-ticketmaster-investigation.html |archive-date=February 11, 2021}}</ref> [[Chuck Philips]], a reporter who covered the issue,<ref name="Ticketmaster 6">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-09-ca-136-story.html|title=A Tangle Over Tickets : Ticketmaster, Target of Lawsuits, Says It Offers Broad Service|last=Philips|first=Chuck|date=9 June 1992|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="Ticketmaster 5">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-17-mn-14107-story.html|title=COLUMN ONE : The Ticket King's Path to Power : As Pearl Jam just learned, Ticketmaster's Fred Rosen gets what he wants. His tactics have earned him some foes, but even critics admit he has transformed the industry. Now he's eyeing new realms.|last=Philips|first=Chuck|date=June 17, 1995|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=22 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="Ticketmaster 4">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-08-ca-1864-story.html|title=Pearl Jam vs. Ticketmaster: Choosing Sides : Legal file: The pop music world is divided over the Seattle band's allegations, which led to a Justice Department investigation into possible anti-competitive practices in the ticket distribution industry.|last=Philips|first=Chuck|date=June 8, 1994|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=22 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-17-ca-2084-story.html|title=Ticket Flap: What Price Convenience?: Entertainment: A host of service fees, surcharges and taxes is riling concert-goers--and lawmakers.|last=Philips|first=Chuck|date=May 17, 1991|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=22 July 2012}}</ref> was told by sources close to the case that the investigation was closed due to a combination of a shortage of resources and the case being difficult and having uncertain prospects.<ref name=":7" />

In a 2009 article by the [[CBC News|CBC]], Ticketmaster argued that legislation was needed in [[Ontario]] to protect fans from scalpers and unauthorized ticket brokers saying, "You and I both know there is a thriving ticket-broker industry ... so the law is really a fiction ... We very strongly feel the law needs to be modernized to reflect the reality of internet commerce. By keeping a price cap in place, you're really just driving the [resale] business into the shadows."<ref>{{cite news |author=The Canadian Press |date=January 2, 2009 |title=Ticketmaster says pricey resale tickets protect consumers |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/ticketmaster-says-pricey-resale-tickets-protect-consumers-1.838045 |url-status=live |work=[[CBC News]] |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307032657/http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2009/01/02/ticketmaster-consumers.html |archive-date=March 7, 2009 |access-date=May 28, 2021}}</ref> That same year, musician [[Bruce Springsteen]] complained of a conflict of interest between Ticketmaster and TicketsNow after fans were directed to TicketsNow once tickets to his concert sold out on Ticketmaster.com. [[Irving Azoff]], Ticketmaster CEO at the time, released an apology and stated that the TicketsNow link would no longer be shown for Springsteen's concerts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/4520960/Bruce-Springsteen-furious-at-Ticketmaster.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206232107/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/4520960/Bruce-Springsteen-furious-at-Ticketmaster.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-02-06|title=Bruce Springsteen 'furious' at Ticketmaster|last=Knapton|first=Sarah|date=2009-02-05|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=2010-03-28|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bruce-springsteen-furious-at-ticketmaster-rails-against-live-nation-merger-97368/|title=Bruce Springsteen "Furious" At Ticketmaster, Rails Against Live Nation Merger|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=2009-02-04|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref> In 2018, the [[United States Department of Justice]] began reviewing complaints by [[Anschutz Entertainment Group|AEG]] that claimed the company had engaged in anti-competitive practices. As of April 2018, the Department of Justice had not released comments on its investigation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/01/arts/music/live-nation-ticketmaster.html |title=Live Nation Rules Music Ticketing, Some Say With Threats |first1=Ben |last1=Sisario |first2=Graham |last2=Bowley |date=1 April 2018 |via=NYTimes.com |work=[[The New York Times]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525035928/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/01/arts/music/live-nation-ticketmaster.html |archive-date=25 May 2021}}</ref>

In 2020, the Department of Justice fined Ticketmaster $3 million for violating a consent decree resulting from the Live Nation merger. The consent decree is extended through 2025 and is required to enforce its own compliance with the decree with a penalty of $1 million for any future violations.<ref name="auto"/>

On May 23, 2024, the DOJ and a coalition of 29 states formally [[United States v. Live Nation Entertainment|launched an antitrust suit]] against Live Nation and Ticketmaster.<ref name=":2" /> The lawsuit contends that Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, abused its unrivaled power in the concert and ticketing industry to eliminate competition, lessening consumer choice and resulting in rising prices.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Romm |first=Tony |date=2024-05-23 |title=U.S., states sue to 'break up' Ticketmaster parent Live Nation |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/05/23/live-nation-ticketmaster-lawsuit-antitrust/ |access-date=2024-05-26 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

===Rewards program monthly fees===
In May 2013, Ticketmaster agreed to pay up to $23 million for enrolling customers into a rewards program that charged $9 per month. Ticketmaster made $85 million in fees, from customers who took about eight months on average to cancel their enrollment in the program. 1.12 million customers were eligible to claim up to a $30 refund.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 16, 2013 |title=Ticketmaster agrees to pay up to $23 million to customers in lawsuit |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/music/2013/05/ticketmaster_agrees_to_pay_up.html |url-status=live |work=[[The Associated Press]] |location=[[Los Angeles]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605160731/https://www.oregonlive.com/music/2013/05/ticketmaster_agrees_to_pay_up.html |archive-date=June 5, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021}}</ref>

===Secret partnership with scalpers===
Ticketmaster has secretly partnered with [[Ticket resale|scalpers]] to drive up prices for consumers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018 |title='I'm getting ripped off': A look inside Ticketmaster's price-hiking bag of tricks |work=CBC |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/ticketmaster-prices-scalpers-bruno-mars-1.4826914}}</ref><ref name="o733">{{cite web |last=Pierce |first=David |date=2024-07-08 |title=Scalpers: always one step ahead of Ticketmaster. |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/8/24194349/scalpers-always-one-step-ahead-of-ticketmaster |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref name="w553">{{cite web |last=Al-Heeti |first=Abrar |date=2018-09-20 |title=Ticketmaster teams with scalpers to rip you off, report says. Firm says no way |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/ticketmaster-partners-with-scalpers-to-rip-you-off-two-undercover-reporters-say/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=CNET}}</ref> Economists characterize the [[Ticket resale|secondary market]] in tickets as socially wasteful [[rent-seeking]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tam |first=Stephanie |title=Why Is the Live-Event Ticket Market So Screwed Up? |url=https://freakonomics.com/podcast/why-is-the-live-event-ticket-market-so-screwed-up/ |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=Freakonomics |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Citation |last1=Agarwal |first1=Nikhil |title=Market design |date=2021 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1573448X21000108 |work=Handbook of Industrial Organization |volume=5 |pages=1–79 |editor-last=Ho |editor-first=Kate |series=Handbook of Industrial Organization, Volume 5 |publisher=Elsevier |language=en |last2=Budish |first2=Eric |doi=10.1016/bs.hesind.2021.11.010 |isbn=9780323988872 |editor2-last=Hortaçsu |editor2-first=Ali |editor3-last=Lizzeri |editor3-first=Alessandro|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In the mid-2000s, Ticketmaster engaged in primary market auctions that reduced the rents involved in secondary market scalping –&nbsp;however, Ticketmaster ended these primary market auctions, opting instead to enter into the secondary market.<ref name=":8" />

In September 2018, the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' reported that Ticketmaster was not enforcing ticket limit rules on its resale platform, TradeDesk.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/09/20/649666928/ticketmaster-has-its-own-secret-scalping-program-canadian-journalists-report|title=Ticketmaster Has Its Own Secret 'Scalping Program,' Canadian Journalists Report|newspaper=NPR|date=September 20, 2018|access-date=2019-05-02|last1=Tsioulcas|first1=Anastasia}}</ref> Ticketmaster denied the allegations, saying it would examine its resale policies on TradeDesk, and that it "never allows ticket scalpers to buy tickets ahead of fans."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8478525/ticketmaster-responds-senate-letter|title=Ticketmaster Responds to Senate Letter Investigating Resale Controversy: Exclusive|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref> One month later, a group of customers filed a class action lawsuit against Ticketmaster.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/scalping-ticketmaster-class-action-lawsuit-731689/|title=Ticketmaster Faces Class-Action Lawsuit After Scalping Report|last=Wang|first=Amy|date=2018-10-01|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref>

In July 2019, a report by [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] revealed a strategy by [[Live Nation]], Ticketmaster's parent company, to secretly bypass placing certain tickets for sale on the primary market and instead, place them directly on resale sites "without giving fans a chance to buy them through normal channels at face value."<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard|date=19 July 2019|title=Secretly Recorded Phone Call Offers Window Into How Live Nation Helped Metallica and Other Artists Place Tickets Directly On Resale Market|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/live-nation-resale-market-secretly-recorded-phone-calls-concert-tickets}}</ref> The company acknowledged it has "facilitated the quiet transfer of concert tickets directly into the hands of resellers through the years, though only at the request of the artists involved."

In September 2025, the United States [[Federal Trade Commission]], joined by seven states, accused Ticketmaster and Live Nation of allowing ticket resellers to ignore purchasing limit set by artists, which allowed resellers to scoop up tickets and sell them for a markup, while Ticketmaster reaped in $3.7&nbsp;billion in resale fees between 2019 and 2024.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/ftc-accuses-live-nation-ticketmaster-colluding-with-ticket-brokers-2025-09-18/ |title=Live Nation, Ticketmaster joined with ticket brokers to exploit fans, US says |last=Godoy |first=Jody |website=[[Reuters]] |date=September 19, 2025 |access-date=September 21, 2025}}</ref>

=== Data breaches ===
In June 2018, Ticketmaster notified 40,000 [[United Kingdom|U.K.]] customers that it had identified a hack caused by [[malicious software]] on a third-party customer support product it contracted. The company stated that customers who bought tickets between February and June 2018 may have had data compromised.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.which.co.uk/news/2018/06/ticketmaster-data-breach-thousands-of-customers-may-be-affected/|title=Ticketmaster data breach: Thousands of customers may be affected|date=27 June 2018|publisher=Which?|access-date=24 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-44628874|title=Ticketmaster admits personal data stolen in hack attack|date=27 June 2018|publisher=BBC News|access-date=24 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/ticketmaster-admits-user-data-was-stolen-in-breach-11419249|title=Ticketmaster admits user data was stolen in breach|date=28 June 2018|publisher=Sky News|access-date=24 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/ticketmaster-data-breach-monzo-inbenta|title=The Ticketmaster hack is a perfect storm of bad IT and bad comms|date=28 June 2018|magazine=Wired|access-date=24 July 2018}}</ref>

Between April 2 and May 18, 2024, an "unauthorized third party obtained information from a cloud database hosted by a third-party data services provider" that exposed personal information including payment-card details.  Ticketmaster identified customers whose data may have been affected by the breach on May 23, 2024, but only notified them of this a month later in a June 22 letter.<ref>{{Citation |title=Notice of Data Breach |date=June 22, 2024 |place=Letter mailed to customers |publisher=Ticketmaster}}</ref>

On May 20, 2024, Ticketmaster’s suffered a breach from their database hosted by [[Snowflake Inc.]] as part of a mass Snowflake customer data breach. Ticketmaster's parent company, Live Nation, revealed the breach on May 31, with Australian authorities confirming they were working with the company on the incident.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Whittaker |first1=Zack |title=Live Nation confirms Ticketmaster was hacked, says personal information stolen in data breach |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/31/live-nation-confirms-ticketmaster-was-hacked-says-personal-information-stolen-in-data-breach/ |website=TechCrunch |access-date=2 June 2024 |date=31 May 2024}}</ref> Further investigation revealed that the hackers were able to access Ticketmaster's Snowflake database by using credentials stolen from EPAM, a 3rd party business process outsourcing firm.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zetter |first=Kim |title=Hackers Detail How They Allegedly Stole Ticketmaster Data From Snowflake |url=https://www.wired.com/story/epam-snowflake-ticketmaster-breach-shinyhunters/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref>

As part of the stolen data, hackers leaked customer information and event barcodes for more than 70,000 Ticketmaster events, including Taylor Swift 'Eras Tour' and hundreds of other events.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robins-Early |first=Nick |date=2024-07-05 |title=Hackers leak alleged Taylor Swift ticket data to extort Ticketmaster |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/05/taylor-swift-eras-tour-ticketmaster-hack-ransom |access-date=2025-01-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hackers leak 39,000 print-at-home Ticketmaster tickets for 154 events |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hackers-leak-39-000-print-at-home-ticketmaster-tickets-for-154-events/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=BleepingComputer |language=en-us}}</ref> 

===Deceptive pricing===
A class action lawsuit was filed against Ticketmaster in 2003, alleging that it did not fully disclose [[United Parcel Service|UPS]] and order processing fees added to tickets sold online. The case settlement was approved in 2015 and Ticketmaster issued vouchers and discount codes to fans who purchased tickets online between 1999 and 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ticketmaster-agrees-to-tentative-settlement-1401746746|title=Ticketmaster Agrees to Tentative Settlement|last=Karp|first=Hannah|date=2014-06-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.buffalonews.com/columns/discount-diva/ticketmaster-voucher-settlement-was-a-debacle-x2013-and-it-will-get-worse-20160626 |title=Ticketmaster voucher settlement was a debacle – and it will get worse - MoneySmart - the Buffalo News |access-date=2016-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730092726/http://www.buffalonews.com/columns/discount-diva/ticketmaster-voucher-settlement-was-a-debacle-x2013-and-it-will-get-worse-20160626 |archive-date=2016-07-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In a related case, Ticketmaster filed suit against its liability insurance carrier, Illinois Union Insurance Company, a subsidiary of [[ACE Limited]], in 2010 for failing to aid in its defense in the 2003 suit.<ref name="servicefees">{{cite web|url=http://ace-insurance-litigation.com/ace-ina-bad-faith/ticketmaster-llc-locks-horns-ace-group-company-over-errors-and-omissions-coverage/|title=Ticketmaster LLC Locks Horns with ACE Group Company Over Errors and Omissions Coverage|date=13 January 2011}}</ref>

In June 2019, Canada's [[Competition Bureau]] fined Ticketmaster $4.5 million dollars ($3.44 million US dollars) as part of a settlement after it was discovered that Ticketmaster "topped advertised costs by more than 20% -- and sometimes as much as 65%." In addition to the required payment, Ticketmaster signed a consent agreement to ensure its advertising policies abide by Canadian law.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8518014/ticketmaster-settles-canada-pricing-lawsuit |title=Ticketmaster Canada Settles Deceptive Pricing Lawsuit for $3.4 Million  |magazine=Billboard |date=28 June 2019 |first=Karen |last=Bliss |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308144321/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8518014/ticketmaster-settles-canada-pricing-lawsuit |archive-date=8 March 2021}}</ref>

===Competitor computer hacking===
In December 2020, Ticketmaster "entered into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors" and agreed to pay a $10 million fine after being charged with illegally accessing computer systems of a competitor.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ticketmaster to pay $10 million in fines after admitting to illegally accessing competitor's computers |first=Sonia |last=Moghe |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/30/business/ticketmaster-plea-passwords-computers/index.html |date=30 December 2020 |publisher=[[CNN]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127063027/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/30/business/ticketmaster-plea-passwords-computers/index.html |archive-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> According to [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] Assistant Director-in-Charge Williams Sweeney, "Ticketmaster used stolen information to gain an advantage over its competition, and then promoted the employees who broke the law."<ref>{{cite web |last=Goodin |first=Dan |date=2021-01-04 |title=Ticketmaster admits it hacked rival company before it went out of business |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/01/ticketmaster-pays-10-million-criminal-fine-for-hacking-a-rival-company/ |access-date=2021-01-06 |website=arstechnica.com |publisher=[[Ars Technica]] |language=en-us |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416123009/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/01/ticketmaster-pays-10-million-criminal-fine-for-hacking-a-rival-company/ |archive-date=2021-04-16}}</ref> The allegations were first reported in 2017 when a former CrowdSurge top executive hired by Ticketmaster hacked into his former employer's database.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ticketmaster Accused of Hacking Rival Firm's Database |url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/songkick-live-nation-ticketmaster-hacking-1201989759/ |date=27 February 2017 |first=Gene |last=Maddaus |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513164752/https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/songkick-live-nation-ticketmaster-hacking-1201989759/ |archive-date=13 May 2021}}</ref>

=== Dynamic pricing and "platinum" tickets ===
Ticketmaster and Live Nation has faced backlash for their dynamic pricing system and "platinum" tickets when tickets for [[Bruce Springsteen]]'s and [[Blink-182]]'s [[Springsteen and E Street Band 2023 Tour|2023]] [[World Tour 2023/2024|tours]] went on sale in July and October 2022 respectively, which saw fans of both acts criticize prices for random seats across the venue going for hundreds or thousands of dollars during pre-sales or right when tickets went on sale for the general public.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 21, 2022 |title=Bruce Springsteen Fans Furious at Ticket Prices Going as High as $4-5K, Due to Ticketmaster's 'Dynamic Pricing' |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/bruce-springsteen-fans-furious-at-ticket-prices-going-as-high-as-4-5k-due-to-ticketmaster-s-dynamic-pricing/ar-AAZNXvf |access-date=November 17, 2022 |publisher=MSN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722191232/https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/bruce-springsteen-fans-furious-at-ticket-prices-going-as-high-as-4-5k-due-to-ticketmaster-s-dynamic-pricing/ar-AAZNXvf |archive-date=2022-07-22 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blink-182 Tickets Are So Expensive Because Ticketmaster Is a Disastrous Monopoly and Now Everyone Pays Ticket Broker Prices |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/blink-182-tickets-are-so-expensive-because-ticketmaster-is-a-disastrous-monopoly-and-now-everyone-pays-ticket-broker-prices/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Vice |date=October 20, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> In March 2023, [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]] criticized the model and announced that [[the Cure]] would not be allowing Ticketmaster to sell dynamically-priced or platinum tickets for the band's upcoming [[Shows of a Lost World|North American tour]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ivie |first=Devon |date=2023-03-17 |title=Ticketmaster Pissed Off the Wrong Goth |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/03/the-cure-robert-smith-ticketmaster-fees-tour.html |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}</ref> Smith priced tickets for the Cure's concerts for as low as $20, but Ticketmaster charged fees that equalled more than the price of the base ticket. After Smith expressed his outrage, Ticketmaster refunded a portion of the fees to the purchasers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ticketmaster to refund some fees after The Cure's Robert Smith says he was 'sickened' by prices |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/ticketmaster-refund-fees-cures-robert-smith-says-was-sickened-prices-rcna75422 |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=NBC News |date=March 17, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Taylor Swift tour pre-sale crash ===
{{Further|Taylor Swift–Ticketmaster controversy}}
On November 15, 2022, the first day of pre-sale of tickets to verified fans for the US leg of [[the Eras Tour]] (2023) by American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Travis |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Ticketmaster was 'experiencing technical difficulties' and outage reports surged as presale started for Taylor Swift's Eras tour |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/ticketmaster-was-experiencing-technical-difficulties-and-outage-reports-surged-as-presale-started-for-taylor-swifts-eras-tour/articleshow/95539891.cms |access-date=November 15, 2022 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> Ticketmaster's official website [[Crash (computing)|crashed]] following "historically unprecedented demand with millions showing up", halting the pre-sale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd  |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift Fans Crash Ticketmaster Site |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/taylor-swift-crash-ticketmaster-site-1235433274/ |access-date=2022-11-15 |website=Variety}}</ref> In less than an hour of availability, the ticketing platform's servers were "unable to answer", with users "either completely logged out or in a queue 2,000-plus people strong that appeared frozen." Ticketmaster immediately published a statement saying they are working to fix the issues "as the site was unprepared to accommodate the sheer force of hundreds of thousands of Swift fans",<ref name="RS Hunger Games">{{Cite magazine |last=Jones |first=C. T. |date=2022-11-15 |title=Taylor Swift Tickets Are On Sale. Fans Say It's Their Hunger Games |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/taylor-swift-fans-battle-ticketmaster-presale-1234630928/ |access-date=2022-11-16 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> and subsequently reported that "hundreds of thousands of tickets" had already been sold and rescheduled the remaining onsales to a different time, including the Capital One onsale to November 16.<ref>{{Cite tweet |title=Ticketmaster statement |number=1592579481449168898 |access-date=2022-11-15|user=Ticketmaster}}</ref>

Fans and customers online widely criticized Ticketmaster for a flawed ticketing model that obstructed them from purchasing tickets. The word "Ticketmaster" was trending number one worldwide on various social media platforms such as [[Twitter]] and [[TikTok]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-16 |title=AOC demands Ticketmaster be dismantled after Taylor Swift ticket sale chaos |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/aoc-ticketmaster-taylor-swift-tickets-b2225903.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=The Independent}}</ref> Several US lawmakers took notice of the issue. US congresswoman [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]] tweeted that Ticketmaster is a [[monopoly]] and that it must be unmerged from [[Live Nation Entertainment]]. Congressman [[Bill Pascrell]], who had previously petitioned [[United States Attorney General|US Attorney General]] [[Merrick Garland]] in support of "strong [[Competition law|antitrust]] enforcement by the [[Presidency of Joe Biden|Biden Administration]]" and criticized the merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation, stated that he attempted to purchase tickets but was placed on the waitlist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-16 |title=AOC demands Ticketmaster be dismantled after Taylor Swift ticket sale chaos |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/aoc-ticketmaster-taylor-swift-tickets-b2225903.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> The [[Tennessee Attorney General]], [[Jonathan Skrmetti]], began an investigation into "consumer complaints about chaos during the presale of tickets" to the tour. He said in a press conference on November 16 that "a lack of competition [for Ticketmaster] has led to a poor experience and higher prices for consumers."<ref name=":2b">{{Cite web |last=Ighadaro |first=Omose |date=November 16, 2022 |title=Tennessee AG Investigating Antitrust Violations in Taylor Swift Ticket Presale |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-16/ticketmaster-s-taylor-swift-presale-investigated-by-tennessee-ag |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref> Following investigations initiated by the Tennessee Attorney General<ref name=":2b"/> and the [[North Carolina Attorney General]] on the grounds of [[Consumer protection|consumer rights]] violations,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ighodaro |first=Omose |date=November 17, 2022 |title=Tennessee, North Carolina AGs Investigating Taylor Swift Ticket Presale |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-16/ticketmaster-s-taylor-swift-presale-investigated-by-tennessee-ag |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref> the federal Department of Justice began an investigation into Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster on November 18.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=McCabe |first1=David |last2=Sisario |first2=Ben |date=November 18, 2022 |title=Justice Department Said to Investigate Ticketmaster's Parent Company |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/technology/live-nation-ticketmaster-investigation-taylor-swift.html |access-date=November 18, 2022}}</ref>

Swift released a statement on November 18, 2022, via her [[Instagram]] story; she asserted that she is protective of her fans and wanted to assure a quality experience for them, but found it difficult to "trust an outside entity with these relationships and loyalties". She said that she was "not going to make excuses for anyone because we asked [Ticketmaster], multiple times, if they could handle this kind of demand and we were assured they could." She concluded that she is taking the necessary measures to resolve the issue and resume the sale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Josephs |first=Leslie |title=Taylor Swift slams 'outside entity' over ticket fiasco: 'I'm not going to make excuses for anyone' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/18/taylor-swift-slams-outside-entity-over-ticketmaster-tour-sale-fiasco.html |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=CNBC |date=November 18, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

In December, a group of Swift's fans, called "[[Swifties]]," filed a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation, accusing them of fraud, anti-trust violations, and price-fixing. In the lawsuit, fans demanded $2,500 for each violation, which could potentially amount to several million in total.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63863416 | title=Taylor Swift: 'Swifties' sue Ticketmaster over tour sale problems | date=December 5, 2022 | publisher=BBC News |access-date=December 6, 2022}}</ref>

=== Cloned and invalid Bad Bunny concert tickets ===
On December 9, 2022, the day of [[Bad Bunny]]'s first concert of his [[World's Hottest Tour]] in [[Mexico City]], an unprecedented number of tickets were cancelled, affecting a considerable group of concertgoers, whose tickets were confiscated and destroyed.<ref name="VultureBB">{{Cite web |last=Gularte |first=Alejandra |date=2022-12-10 |title=Hundreds of Tickets Canceled for Bad Bunny Concert in Mexico |url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/12/ticketmaster-mexico-bad-bunny-counterfeit-tickets.html |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}</ref> Because of this, Ticketmaster received a great amount of criticism because many of the attendees who were denied entry were accused of having counterfeit or cloned tickets, even though those attendees presented proof of payment or their ticket had not even been previously scanned. The procurator of [[PROFECO|Office of the Federal Prosecutor for the Consumer]], described on Twitter that the agency had already requested a report from Ticketmaster Mexico on what happened at the [[Estadio Azteca]] and asked affected consumers to formalize their complaints under the terms of the law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-10 |title=Final de la gira de Bad Bunny en México opacada por boletaje falso; Ticketmaster ofrece reembolsos |url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2022/12/10/gira-de-bad-bunny-en-mexico-opacada-por-boletaje-falso-ticketmaster-ofrece-reembolsos-orix/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=CNN |language=es}}</ref> Due to the criticism, Ticketmaster Mexico released a statement through their social networks apologizing and saying that "the inconveniences in the accesses were a consequence of the presentation of an unprecedented number of fake tickets, which caused an out of the ordinary agglomeration of people and an intermittent operation of our system". They also offered refunds for the full cost of the tickets.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1601479817135677440|user=Ticketmaster_Me|title=#AvisoImportante con respecto al concierto de @sanbenito (#BadBunny) en el @EstadioAzteca|author=Ticketmaster Mexico|date=December 10, 2022|access-date=December 11, 2022}}</ref> However, PROFECO ordered that those affected not only be refunded the full cost of the ticket, but an additional 20%.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-12-11 |title=Ticketmaster deberá reembolsar y dar 20% extra a fans de Bad Bunny afectados: Profeco |url=https://www.forbes.com.mx/ticketmaster-debera-reembolsar-y-dar-20-extra-a-fans-de-bad-bunny-afectados-profeco/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Forbes México |language=es-MX}}</ref>

=== United States Senate committee hearing ===
On January 24, 2023, a three-hour hearing by the Senate judiciary committee,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Murphy Kelly |first=Samantha |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Ticketmaster gets grilled: 6 takeaways from hearing over Taylor Swift concert fiasco |agency=[[CNN Business]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/24/tech/ticketmaster-hearing-taylor-swift/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125073708/https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/24/tech/ticketmaster-hearing-taylor-swift/index.html |archive-date=January 25, 2023}}</ref> titled "That's the Ticket: Promoting Competition and Protecting Consumers in Live Entertainment", to analyze "the long-simmering dissatisfaction over the 2010 consent decree governing the merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation", was held at 10:00 am EST in the [[Hart Senate Office Building]], Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Brooks |first=Dave |date=January 23, 2023 |title=Ticketmaster Plans to Blame Scalpers for Taylor Swift Debacle at Senate Hearing |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-senate-hearing-scalpers/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124002749/https://www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-senate-hearing-scalpers/ |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |access-date=January 24, 2023}}</ref> The hearing was telecast live. Various media outlets reported that both the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] senators "grilled" Ticketmaster's representative, Joe Berchtold, the company's [[chief financial officer]]. The senators questioned Berchtold over Ticketmaster's monopolistic practices, policies, ticket costs, lack of transparency, lack of defense against bots, and insensitivity to music artists. Berchtold, despite apologizing for the debacle, denied accusations of monopoly and fraud, but accepted that "there are several things we could have done better—including staggering the sales over a longer period of time and doing a better job setting fan expectations for getting tickets" and continued to blame "industrial-scale ticket scalping" and "unprecedented number of bots" in Swift's tour debacle. The witnesses prosecuting Ticketmaster included Jerry Mickelson, the president of [[JAM Creative Productions]]; and Jack Groetzinger, co-founder of [[SeatGeek]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 25, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift concert fiasco leads to US Senate grilling for Ticketmaster |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/music/taylor-swift-concert-fiasco-leads-to-us-senate-grilling-for-ticketmaster-8403132/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125053425/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/music/taylor-swift-concert-fiasco-leads-to-us-senate-grilling-for-ticketmaster-8403132/ |archive-date=January 25, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Elbeshbishi |first=Sarah |title='Industrial-scale ticket scalping.' Senators grill Ticketmaster over Taylor Swift concert fiasco |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/24/senate-judiciary-taylor-swift-ticketmaster/11091086002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124233707/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/24/senate-judiciary-taylor-swift-ticketmaster/11091086002/ |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |access-date=January 25, 2023 |newspaper=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> Live Nation cited several letters of support within its testimony, including one from American country singer [[Garth Brooks]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Ticketmaster apologises for Taylor Swift tour sales fiasco |agency=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64384304 |url-status=live |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126153110/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64384304 |archive-date=January 26, 2023}}</ref> Free Britney America, a D.C. organization that was part of the [[Britney Spears conservatorship dispute|Free Britney movement]], protested outside the [[United States Capitol|U.S. Capitol]] during the hearing "in support of ending Ticketmaster-Live Nation's monopoly over the live event and ticketing industry."<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 24, 2023 |title=DC organization protests against Ticketmaster and Live Nation outside US Capitol |agency=[[WCIV]] |url=https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/dc-organization-protests-against-ticketmaster-and-live-nation-outside-us-capitol-taylor-swift-ticket-controversy-live-nation-entertainment-concert-pop-star-music-eras-stadium-tour-high-demands-insufficient-inventory |url-status=live |access-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124171853/https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/dc-organization-protests-against-ticketmaster-and-live-nation-outside-us-capitol-taylor-swift-ticket-controversy-live-nation-entertainment-concert-pop-star-music-eras-stadium-tour-high-demands-insufficient-inventory |archive-date=January 24, 2023}}</ref>

=== Zach Bryan scalpers and Drake tour misinformation ===
On December 26, 2022, American country singer [[Zach Bryan]] criticized Ticketmaster for his Burn Burn Burn tour (2023) and listed out non-transferrable tickets to stop scalpers.<ref name=":11">{{Cite magazine |last=Millman |first=Ethan |date=2023-03-28 |title=With Ticketmaster Lawsuit's First Hearing, Swifties Take to the Streets |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-lawsuit-protest-1234704360/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> He went on to release a live album, entitled ''[[All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heching |first=Dan |date=2022-12-27 |title=Zach Bryan drops surprise album 'All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster,' vows to combat high ticket prices |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/27/entertainment/zach-bryan-album-ticketmaster/index.html |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Freeman |first=Jon |date=2023-01-04 |title=Zach Bryan Wants to Burn Ticketmaster to the Ground |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/zach-bryan-concert-tour-tickets-ticketmaster-1234654016/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

In March 2023, fans of Canadian rapper [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] also filed a class action lawsuit against Ticketmaster in the [[Superior Court of Quebec]], alleging intentional deception and fraud. Plaintiffs claimed that the on-sale for the It's All a Blur Tour, a co-headlining concert tour by Drake and [[21 Savage]], "intentionally misleads consumers for [Ticketmaster's] own financial gain" by concealing information about additional show dates to drive demand and ticket prices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drake fans are the latest to hit Ticketmaster with a lawsuit following 'It's All A Blur' tour sale |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/drake-fans-are-the-latest-to-hit-ticketmaster-with-a-lawsuit-following-its-all-a-blur-tour-sale/articleshow/98979729.cms |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=Business Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-24 |title=Ticketmaster facing lawsuit over Drake pricing now, too |url=https://www.avclub.com/ticketmaster-facing-lawsuit-over-drake-pricing-now-too-1850261716 |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en}}</ref> The suit seeks $300 in punitive damages per customer and compensatory damages covering the difference between the "Official Platinum" ticket prices and the regular cost for the seats.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fu |first=Eddie |date=2023-03-24 |title=Drake fan files class-action lawsuit against Ticketmaster over inflated "Official Platinum" prices |url=https://consequence.net/2023/03/drake-fan-ticketmaster-lawsuit/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=Consequence |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Eurovision 2023 on-sale crash ===
For the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2023]] in [[Liverpool]] in May 2023, the [[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU) and the host broadcaster [[BBC]] partnered with Ticketmaster.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-02 |title=Eurovision 2023: Tickets for Liverpool sell out after huge demand |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64784428 |access-date=2023-03-07}}</ref> Prior to the ticket booking platform going live, many users complained that the Ticketmaster website had crashed with a [[500 error]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Somerville |first=Ewan |date=2023-03-07 |title=Eurovision tickets website crashes moments before sale begins |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/03/07/eurovision-tickets-sale-website-crashes-ticketmaster-liverpool/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> Tickets for the contest's final sold out in 36 minutes, with the remaining available shows selling out around an hour later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Damian |date=2023-03-07 |title=Eurovision final 2023 tickets sell out in 36 minutes |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/eurovision-final-2023-tickets-sell-out-in-36-minutes-3409546 |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> Following this, tickets were available on third-party [[Ticket resale|resale platforms]] such as [[Viagogo]], with a general admission standing ticket for the final, originally priced at {{Currency|380|GBP}}, being sold for up to {{Currency|11800|GBP|linked=no}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tickets: Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final - Live Show, Liverpool {{!}} Sat, 13 May 2023, 20:00 {{!}} Ticketmaster UK |url=https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/eurovision-song-contest-grand-final-live-liverpool-13-05-2023/event/37005E5CB24B11CC |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Ticketmaster UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-07 |title=Eurovision tickets reselling for up to £12,000 as fans hunt for ways to attend contest |url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2023-03-07/eurovision-tickets-reselling-for-up-to-12000-on-third-party-websites |website=[[ITV News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-07 |title=Tickets for all 9 shows at this year's Eurovision Song Contest have now SOLD OUT. |url=http://eyeonsouthport.co.uk/tickets-for-all-9-shows-at-this-year-s-eurovision-song-contest-have-now-sold-out |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Eye on |language=en}}</ref>

=== Coronation concert ballot misinformation ===
Ticketmaster was heavily criticised for their handling of the tickets for [[Coronation of Charles III and Camilla|Coronation Concert of Charles III and Camilla]]. After two rounds of ticket balloting for guaranteed tickets, remaining unclaimed tickets were released on a first-come, first-served basis to those who had previously applied to the ballot. Despite tickets being fully claimed, thousands of emails were sent to those unsuccessful in the ballot incorrectly informing them that they won tickets.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-25 |title=Anger as fans say Coronation Concert ballot 'misleading' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65387085 |access-date=2023-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Misleading' email brings residents to tears in Coronation concert ticket disaster |url=https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/23481700.coronation-concert-residents-upset-misleading-ticketmaster-email/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Bracknell News |date=April 26, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> As a result, many people rushed to book travel, accommodation and time off work for the event.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McTaggart |first=India |date=2023-04-25 |title=Coronation Concert chaos after tickets sell out in minutes angering ballot holders |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/04/25/coronation-concert-chaos-tickets-sell-out-ballot-holders/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> Ticketmaster was criticised and the email was labeled "misleading".<ref>{{Cite web |title='Misleading' email brings residents to tears in Coronation concert ticket disaster |url=https://www.windsorobserver.co.uk/news/23481700.coronation-concert-residents-upset-misleading-ticketmaster-email/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Royal Borough Observer |date=April 26, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Oasis dynamic pricing scrutiny ===
Many fans criticised the sales process and prices for the [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] [[Oasis Live '25 Tour|2025 reunion tour]], noting hours-long queues or website crashes when attempting to buy tickets: other fans reported being placed in a queue for the ticket queue. If fans were able to reach the purchase section of the website, tickets would dramatically change in price, with reports indicating rises from £135, to more than £350.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-31 |title=Oasis gigs sell out after scramble for tickets |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y8wer58x6o |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=BBC News}}</ref> It was confirmed ticket prices, and the sudden increase, was due to Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing system. According to Jonathan Brown, chief executive of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers, the band itself holds the power to opt-in to dynamic pricing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-01 |title=Oasis tickets sales 'shambles' defended by industry chief |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2kj3742jxwo |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=BBC News}}</ref> Oasis responded to this in statement, saying, "[we] leave decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management" and that they had "at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oasis hit out at Ticketmaster over 'dynamic pricing' row |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/oasis-hit-out-at-ticketmaster-over-dynamic-pricing-row/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=LBC |date=September 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> However, in 2023, [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]] of [[The Cure]] confirmed dynamic pricing used by Ticketmaster is something artists can choose to opt into.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=2023-03-16 |title=The Cure: Robert Smith tells fans he is 'sickened' by Ticketmaster fees as US tour goes on sale |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/16/the-cure-robert-smith-tells-fans-he-is-sickened-by-ticketmaster-fees-as-us-tour-goes-on-sale |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

On 5 September 2024, the UK [[Competition and Markets Authority]] (CMA) announced it was launching an investigation into Ticketmaster over Oasis concert ticket sales. The CMA said its investigation would include how dynamic pricing may have been used and would scrutinise whether the sale of tickets may have breached consumer protection law. This included considering whether Ticketmaster had engaged in unfair commercial practices, if consumers were given clear and timely information to explain that the tickets could be subject to dynamic pricing, and if consumers were put under pressure to buy tickets within a short period of time – at a higher price than they understood they would have to pay.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CMA launches investigation into Ticketmaster over Oasis concert sales |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-launches-investigation-into-ticketmaster-over-oasis-concert-sales |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=GOV.UK}}</ref>

=== Ticket transfer hacking ===
In fall 2024, Ticketmaster customers began noticing tickets were being incorrectly removed from accounts. Despite thousands of customers taking to Ticketmaster's social media accounts over a period of months, the platform initially ignored the comments and released a statement in October 2024 indicating that affected customers were "victims of hackers" taking advantage of the platform's ticket transfer feature.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scammers are accessing Ticketmaster users' email accounts, stealing tickets, company says|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/10/01/ticketmaster-scammers-disappearing-tickets/75470713007/|access-date=2024-10-01 |website=USA TODAY}}</ref> Despite this, Ticketmaster did not replace missing tickets or pull its ticket transfer feature pending an investigation into the hacking. This issue continued in November 2024 for fans attending an [[Usher (musician)|Usher]] concert, with the tickets only being refunded after fans complained to the [[Better Business Bureau]]. Due to Ticketmaster's lack of information and action, social media users and fans questioned if the organization was in on the scam itself.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ticketmaster-hacked-transfer-tickets-from-customer-account-scam-2024-11|title=Hackers are stealing tickets from Ticketmaster customers' accounts. For many, the platform is their only option.|first=Dan Latu, Palmer|last=Haasch|website=Business Insider}}</ref>

== Partners ==
Ticketmaster has partnerships with venues, professional sports leagues and teams, college and universities, musical acts and theatre tours<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/ticketmaster-hamilton-prestige-entertainment-renaissance-ventures-1202578292/|title=Ticketmaster Says Bot Army Bought 30,000 'Hamilton' Tickets|last=Maddaus|first=Gene|date=2017-10-02|website=Variety|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sporttechie.com/nfl-ticketmaster-extend-partnership-give-fans-safer-way-buy-tickets/|title=Ticketmaster To Use Next-Generation Venue Software For The NFL|date=2017-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8486804/kevin-bridges-ticketmaster-ticket-year-fan-vote-taylor-swift-ed-sheeran|title=Scottish Comic Beats Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran in Ticketmaster UK Fan Vote For 'Ticket of the Year'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref> and target corporation in the United States and internationally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ampthemag.com/the-real/ticketmaster-will-once-again-be-the-official-ticketing-partner-of-smgs-uk-venues/|title=Ticketmaster Will Once Again Be the Official Ticketing Partner of SMG's UK Venues|date=2018-04-30|website=Amplify}}</ref> Ticketmaster has partnered with musical acts such as [[Taylor Swift]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2017/11/13/taylor-swift-announces-2018-reputation-tour/859157001/|title=Taylor Swift announces massive 2018 'Reputation' tour|website=USA Today|language=en|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref> and the [[Trans-Siberian Orchestra]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2018/08/20/trans-siberian-orchestra-announces-20th-anniversary-winter-tour/1010334002/|title=Exclusive: Trans-Siberian Orchestra announces 20th-anniversary winter tour|website=USA Today|language=en|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref> and theatre productions such as [[Hamilton (musical)|Hamilton]] and [[Harry Potter and the Cursed Child]].<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/how-to-buy-tickets-to-broadways-harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-parts-one-and-two|title=How to Buy Tickets to Broadway's Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two|last=Fierberg|first=Ruthie|date=September 30, 2017}}</ref>

Ticketmaster has been the ticketing provider for the [[National Football League]] (NFL), [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) and the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2012/04/02/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NFL-Ticketmaster.aspx|title=NFL, Ticketmaster renew partnership for at least $200M|date=April 2, 2012 |access-date=2022-07-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com:443/en/Daily/Issues/2013/11/05/Leagues%20and%20Governing%20Bodies/NHL%20Ticketmaster.aspx|title=Guarding The Gates: NHL Signs Multiyear Extension Of Deal With Ticketmaster|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8098606/nba-renews-ticketmaster-deal-two-years|title=NBA Renews Ticketmaster Deal for Two Years|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref> In 2008, Ticketmaster entered into an agreement with the [[National Football League]] (NFL) to manage its resale market on NFL TicketExchange.<ref name=":5">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8007022/stubhub-inks-nfl-deal-digital-tickets-ticketmaster-integration|title=StubHub Inks NFL Deal for Digital Tickets, Ticketmaster Integration|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref> Ticketmaster also works with wrestling promotions [[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) (1994) and [[All Elite Wrestling]]  (AEW) (2019)

In 2017, Ticketmaster announced it would open the TicketExchange platform to allow the sale and validation of tickets on third-party websites, including [[StubHub]].<ref name=":5" /> Ticketmaster has also partnered with the [[United States Tennis Association]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nysportsday.com/2018/08/26/new-tech-offerings-this-year-at-the-us-open/|title=New Tech Offerings This Year At The US Open|date=2018-08-26|website=NY Sports Day|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-13}}</ref> [[Tennis Canada]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theticketingbusiness.com/2018/08/08/rogers-cup-goes-digital-ticketmaster/|title=Rogers Cup goes digital with Ticketmaster|date=2018-08-08|website=TheTicketingBusiness News|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-06-13}}</ref> and the [[PGA Tour]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2017/07/25/wyndham-championship.html|title=Wyndham Championship announces deal with Ticketmaster, new tier pricing|last=Brasier|first=John|date=25 July 2017|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Live Nation Entertainment]]
* [[Jerry Seltzer]]
* [[Ticket resale]]
* [[Ticketmaster Corp. v. Tickets.com, Inc.]]
* [[Monopoly]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://consumerist.com/2006/01/17/scam-alert-entertainment-rewards-and-ticketmaster/ Scam Alert: Entertainment Rewards and Ticketmaster – Consumerist]

{{Live Nation}}
{{Music industry}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ticket sales companies]]
[[Category:Live Nation Entertainment| ]]
[[Category:1976 establishments in California]]
[[Category:2010 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Companies based in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies based in California]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies established in 1976]]
[[Category:Monopolies]]
[[Category:Online retailers of the United States]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1976]]
[[Category:West Hollywood, California]]
[[Category:Pritzker family|*]]