The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), alongside several state attorneys general, launched a major lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, alleging widespread illegal practices that have cost consumers billions of dollars. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, accuses the entertainment giants of facilitating the resale of event tickets at exorbitant prices by brokers. The complaint details how Ticketmaster knowingly allowed brokers to purchase massive quantities of tickets, often exceeding artist-imposed limits, and then resell these tickets at significantly inflated prices. This practice effectively deprived ordinary consumers of the chance to purchase tickets at fair prices.
The FTC's case also highlights Ticketmaster's deceptive "bait-and-switch" pricing tactics. The lawsuit alleges that the company advertised lower ticket prices than were actually available to most consumers, creating a false impression of affordability. The FTC maintains that Ticketmaster's internal communications reveal a conscious decision to benefit from the broker system, despite public claims to the contrary. This alleged contradiction demonstrates a blatant disregard for consumer protection laws and the principles of fair pricing.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the Better Online Ticket Sales Act and other consumer protection laws, arguing that Live Nation and Ticketmaster's actions constitute deceptive sales practices. The participating state attorneys general—from Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia—underscore the widespread nature of the problem and the seriousness of the allegations. FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson stated that the high cost of attending events is unacceptable, emphasizing the need to protect consumers from exploitative pricing.
The FTC's claim highlights the sheer scale of Ticketmaster's dominance in the ticketing market. The agency estimates that consumers spent nearly $83 billion on tickets through Ticketmaster between 2019 and 2024, controlling at least 80% of major venue ticket sales. This significant market share further strengthens the FTC's argument regarding the companies' ability to manipulate pricing and limit consumer choice. This current lawsuit follows a May 2025 Department of Justice lawsuit accusing the companies of monopolizing the live entertainment industry, underscoring the ongoing legal battles facing Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
Smaller ticket vendors have expressed support for the FTC's action, voicing their belief that a more competitive ticketing market is crucial for fair pricing and consumer protection. The Coalition for Ticket Fairness, an advocacy group representing smaller vendors, stated that the lawsuit reinforces the importance of transparent pricing, robust competition, and ease of ticket transfer for a truly fair and consumer-friendly ticketing ecosystem.
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Originally published at: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ticketmaster-live-nation-ftc-lawsuit-tickets/
