Ticketmaster

Ticketmaster is the dominant force in live event ticketing, operating as a subsidiary of Live Nation Entertainment. Based in Beverly Hills, California, the company handles ticket sales for concerts, sports, theater, and more across dozens of countries. Its two main fulfillment centers in Charleston, West Virginia, and Pharr, Texas, process both primary and secondary market orders. Clients including venues, artists, and promoters control their own events and set prices, while Ticketmaster provides the digital and physical infrastructure to sell those tickets. The company also owns TicketWeb, a platform tailored for independent venues.

The company's fees have long been a point of contention. These charges often make up a large percentage of the total ticket cost, drawing scrutiny from regulators, customers, and musicians. The 2010 merger with Live Nation came with a 10-year consent decree from the Department of Justice, which was extended five more years in 2020. Ticketmaster has faced multiple lawsuits over antitrust and consumer rights violations.

Criticism reached a peak in November 2022, when the presale for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour collapsed under demand, leaving millions of fans empty-handed. The ensuing backlash prompted a formal DOJ investigation into Live Nation Entertainment for monopolistic practices. In May 2024, the DOJ and a coalition of 29 states filed an antitrust suit, later joined by 10 more states, for a total of 40 co-plaintiffs. In April 2026, a jury found that Live Nation held an illegal monopoly, enabling Ticketmaster to overcharge for tickets. [edit]