Live Nation Entertainment’s Ticketmaster has firmly rejected allegations from the Federal Trade Commission that it engaged in deceptive pricing practices and facilitated illegal ticket scalping, following a sweeping federal lawsuit filed in September 2025. The company described the FTC’s claims as “fundamentally flawed” and asserted that its fee structure has always been transparent to consumers throughout the checkout process.
Ticketmaster firmly denies FTC allegations, calling claims “fundamentally flawed” while defending its transparent fee structure.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that Ticketmaster advertised tickets at headline prices while adding mandatory fees as high as 44% later in the checkout process, amounting to what regulators termed a “bait-and-switch” scheme. According to FTC data, consumers paid approximately $16.4 billion in such fees between 2019 and 2024, with a typical $100 ticket often costing closer to $140 after all charges were applied.
Particularly contentious are accusations that Ticketmaster knowingly enabled professional scalpers to circumvent ticket purchase limits. The FTC claims internal evidence shows the company was aware that just five brokers controlled over 6,345 accounts, which collectively acquired 246,407 tickets to 2,594 events.
These brokers allegedly resold the tickets at substantial markups on Ticketmaster’s own platform, allowing the company to collect fees on both the initial and resale transactions. The FTC is seeking civil penalties and monetary relief for consumers affected by these practices.
Ticketmaster representatives countered that they invest millions annually in anti-bot technology and regularly collaborate with artists to prevent scalping. Music industry analysts note that effective promotion strategies, including social media advertising, are becoming increasingly crucial for artists seeking to maximize revenue from live performances. The dispute highlights how many musicians now rely on live performances as a primary revenue stream in today’s complex music economy. “Our primary goal is ensuring fans get fair access to tickets,” said a company spokesperson, who emphasized that Ticketmaster has supported federal legislation to combat predatory reselling practices.
The case marks the second major legal challenge for Live Nation Entertainment in 2025, following a separate Department of Justice antitrust action filed earlier in 2024.
The lawsuit has garnered significant bipartisan support with seven state AGs joining the FTC’s efforts to pursue claims under both the BOTS Act and state consumer protection laws.
While the DOJ lawsuit focuses on monopolistic concerns about market structure, the FTC complaint specifically targets consumer harm through deceptive practices and alleged violations of the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016.
The litigation could potentially result in substantial civil penalties and consumer refunds if Ticketmaster is found liable.
