Ticketmaster Aims to Dismiss FTC Ticket Resale Case

• Ticketmaster argues the 2016 BOTS Act was designed to help ticket issuers combat abusive resale practices and does not hold platforms liable for resellers' actions
• The FTC lawsuit claims Ticketmaster has known since 2018 that resellers illegally violate ticket limit policies but allowed it to continue to earn $3.7 billion in fees
• Ticketmaster controls up to 80% of concert ticketing for major venues and faces a separate DOJ monopolization trial scheduled for March 2026

Summary

Key Development: Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation filed a motion on January 7 to dismiss an FTC lawsuit accusing them of enabling illegal ticket resales. The company argues the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016 applies only to ticket resellers, not ticketing platforms like itself.

The Case: The FTC and seven states sued Ticketmaster in September, alleging the company knowingly ignored brokers violating ticket purchasing limits set by artists. According to the lawsuit, Ticketmaster earned $3.7 billion in resale fees between 2019 and 2024 and has been aware of illegal reseller activities since 2018.

Legal Arguments: Ticketmaster contends it cannot be held liable under the BOTS Act because resellers—not the platform—are the ones actually selling tickets on its resale marketplace. The company maintains the law was designed to help ticket issuers combat abusive resale practices.

Market Context: Ticketmaster dominates the U.S. live event ticketing market, controlling up to 80% of concert ticketing for major venues according to FTC estimates. The company faced significant public backlash following the 2022 Taylor Swift Eras Tour ticket sale debacle, when overwhelming demand from fans, bots, and resellers crashed its website.

Additional Legal Challenges: Live Nation and Ticketmaster face a separate Department of Justice antitrust trial scheduled for March, where they're accused of monopolizing the live concert industry. Both companies deny these allegations.

Implications: The outcome could reshape how ticketing platforms are regulated and may impact secondary ticket market practices industry-wide.