The High Cost of U.S. Concert Tickets

The U.S. Justice Department has taken a stand against Live Nation Entertainment, alleging that the concert promoter and its Ticketmaster unit have been illegally inflating concert ticket prices. This move comes after years of complaints from artists and fans about the skyrocketing costs of attending live events.

According to a report by Pollstar, the average ticket price for top concert tours reached $122.84 last year, up significantly from $91.86 in 2019. Fans often end up paying even more on the secondary market, making it increasingly difficult for music lovers to afford the concerts they want to attend.

One of the main reasons for the high ticket prices is the multitude of fees imposed by Ticketmaster. These include ticketing fees, service fees, convenience fees, platinum fees, and more. The Government Accountability Office estimated that these fees can increase ticket prices by an average of 27%, far exceeding fees in other parts of the world.

Additionally, pre-sales to popular concerts often limit access to tickets for die-hard fans. Ticketmaster’s exclusivity provisions prevent artists from selling directly to their fan clubs, allowing third-party resellers to charge less than Ticketmaster.

Professional resellers also play a role in driving up ticket prices by using multiple accounts and specialized browsers to purchase tickets in advance sales. The Justice Department’s lawsuit highlights Live Nation’s market power, with the company controlling a significant portion of concert promotions and ticketing in North America.

As the battle over ticket prices continues, fans are left wondering if they will ever be able to attend their favorite concerts without breaking the bank.