Nearly every independent music venue across America faces unprecedented challenges as the Federal Trade Commission‘s landmark lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, filed September 18, 2025, brings long-simmering tensions over ticketing practices to a boiling point.
The FTC, backed by seven state attorneys general, has targeted deceptive pricing practices, including bait-and-switch tactics and hidden fees that reportedly reach as high as 44% of ticket prices, amounting to a staggering $16.4 billion in fees over five years.
Fans shell out a shocking 44% in hidden fees while Ticketmaster quietly pockets billions through deceptive pricing schemes.
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), representing over 1,500 venues nationwide, has thrown its full support behind the FTC’s legal action, condemning Ticketmaster’s monopolistic practices.
These venues have long struggled against a system that limits fair access and pricing, with many reporting that despite Ticketmaster’s public pledges for reform, scalpers continue exploiting the platform with apparent impunity.
Particularly contentious is Ticketmaster’s recent proposal for a federal cap on ticket resale prices, which critics dismiss as self-serving and ineffective.
Internal communications revealed in the FTC complaint suggest Ticketmaster actively condones illegal scalper activities when they prove profitable for the company.
The lawsuit details how Ticketmaster allegedly enabled brokers to circumvent ticket purchase limits through its TradeDesk software tool, facilitating the mass acquisition of tickets that would later be resold at inflated prices.
“They’re proposing bandages for wounds they inflicted,” remarked one NIVA member who requested anonymity.
Economic data underscores the scale of the problem, with consumers spending $82.6 billion through Ticketmaster between 2019 and 2024.
The company’s vertical integration across venue ownership, artist management, and ticketing creates nearly insurmountable barriers for independent venues and alternative ticketing platforms.
NIVA continues advocating for meaningful legislative reforms, including bans on speculative ticket sales and stricter resale regulations.
The lawsuit specifically addresses the negative impacts stemming from the Live Nation and Ticketmaster merger, which has resulted in monopolistic power and reduced competition in the live music industry.
Many independent musicians have sought to circumvent these challenges by developing diverse income streams that reduce their reliance on traditional ticketing systems and major venue performances.
Their proposed model legislation aims to address systemic flaws rather than superficial changes that maintain Ticketmaster’s dominance.
As the FTC seeks civil penalties, monetary relief for consumers, and injunctive measures, independent venues remain skeptical of Ticketmaster’s reform proposals, viewing them as attempts to further consolidate power while appearing responsive to criticism.
Some artists are now turning to collecting societies to manage performance royalties when their music is played in venues, creating additional revenue sources outside the ticketing system.
