Senate Hearing on Ticketing Problems
A U.S. Senate Commerce Committee panel will hold a hearing on January 28 to address unfair practices in the ticketing industry. The hearing will focus on problems like ticket scalping, hidden fees, and the use of bots to buy tickets in bulk. An executive from Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, is expected to testify, along with musician Kid Rock.
Lawsuits and Government Action
In 2024, the U.S. Justice Department and several state attorneys general sued Live Nation and its Ticketmaster unit. They claim the company controls too much of the live concert market, which hurts both fans and artists. The Federal Trade Commission is also involved in related cases.
Focus on Bots and Resellers
The hearing will also review an FTC lawsuit against a ticket reseller accused of using multiple Ticketmaster accounts to buy large numbers of tickets and resell them at higher prices. These tickets included shows from major tours like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Lawmakers say these practices make tickets more expensive for regular fans.
Political Support for Reform
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in 2025 aimed at stopping unfair ticket scalping and protecting consumers. Kid Rock supported the move and has spoken out against bots and resellers. Live Nation has said it supports efforts to fix these problems.
