US Senators Criticize Ticketmaster for Increasing Fees Following Regulatory Mandate

US senators have criticized Ticketmaster for raising certain fees after being required to implement all-in pricing by the Federal Trade Commission. According to documents obtained through public records requests, the company increased other fees to offset losses from eliminating hidden charges. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut accused Ticketmaster of acting as if it has a 'get-out-of-jail-free card' regarding antitrust and consumer protection laws. The FTC had sued Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation Entertainment in September for concealing mandatory fees until the end of transactions. Ticketmaster stated that since May 2025, it has displayed full prices upfront in compliance with FTC rules and provides explanations of fees during purchases. Blumenthal, as ranking member of the permanent subcommittee on investigations, highlighted findings from a recent report that Ticketmaster drove up concert ticket costs post-pandemic by encouraging artists to release tickets on resale markets early and expanding dynamic pricing. An ongoing federal trial is examining whether Ticketmaster maintains an illegal monopoly in the live music industry, which the company denies. Following the trial's start, the Department of Justice reached a settlement with Live Nation Entertainment, opposed by over 30 states and lawmakers including Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who called for breaking up Ticketmaster due to its fee practices and monopolistic behavior.