The FTC and several states, including Illinois, are suing Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation, accusing them of fueling unfair ticket resale practices that drive up prices for fans.
The lawsuit claims Ticketmaster:
Allowed brokers to bypass purchase limits using fake accounts and bots. Profited multiple times by charging fees on both original sales and inflated resales. Misled customers with hidden “junk fees” that appear only at checkout.
Regulators argue these practices hurt fans and artists alike. If the case succeeds, Ticketmaster could face fines, new rules requiring up-front pricing, stricter bot enforcement, and possible changes to its resale platform.
This legal battle adds to the growing pressure for a more fair and transparent ticketing system in the U.S.
