US Senators Accuse Ticketmaster of 'Bait and Switch' After Fee Hike

US senators have strongly rebuked Ticketmaster for increasing ticket fees following a regulatory crackdown on hidden charges. This move has been described as a 'bait and switch' tactic, leaving consumers with higher costs.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had mandated Ticketmaster to disclose all concert ticket fees upfront, known as all-in pricing, starting last May. In response, the company removed the order processing fee charged at the end of a transaction. However, documents obtained by the Guardian reveal that Ticketmaster simply raised other fees to offset the loss, potentially violating the FTC's ban on misleading fees.

Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut expressed his concerns, stating, 'Ticketmaster seems to believe it has a get-out-of-jail-free card to ignore antitrust and consumer protection laws. The FTC is going to have to choose whether to protect consumers and enforce the law, or cave to Ticketmaster lobbyists.'

The FTC had sued Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, last September for hiding mandatory fees until the end of the transaction. Ticketmaster claims it complies with the FTC's all-in pricing rules.

In response to the criticism, Ticketmaster stated, 'Since May 2025, tickets on Ticketmaster.com have displayed the full price upfront in line with the FTC's all-in pricing rule. We also provide explanations of fees during the purchase process and maintain a dedicated page with additional information.'

Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts also criticized Ticketmaster, saying, 'Too many giant monopolies think the law doesn’t apply to them, and it’s American families who are forced to pay the price.'

An ongoing federal trial is examining whether Ticketmaster operates an illegal monopoly in the live music industry. The company denies these allegations.