Global Scrutiny Intensifies for Ticketmaster as German Fans Join Legal Onslaught
BERLIN, 24 January 2026 – The world’s dominant ticketing platform, Ticketmaster, is under unprecedented pressure from multiple fronts. A recent US federal lawsuit, an ongoing UK competition investigation, and a growing wave of discontent from German concertgoers are coalescing into a significant challenge to the Live Nation-owned giant’s business practices and market power.
The US Legal Onslaught
The most recent and significant action came in September 2025, when the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), joined by seven states, filed a lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The complaint alleges the companies tacitly coordinated with ticket brokers, allowing them to bypass purchase limits and harvest tickets, which were then resold at a substantial markup on Ticketmaster’s secondary market. The FTC claims this practice caused consumers to pay significantly more than face value.
This lawsuit builds upon a major antitrust case launched by the US Department of Justice and 40 states in May 2024, which accused Live Nation of illegally maintaining a monopoly in the live entertainment industry. These legal actions allege that Ticketmaster’s control over an estimated 70-80% of primary ticketing at major US venues stifles competition and leads to higher prices and fees for fans.
Regulatory Heat in Europe
Across the Atlantic, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into Ticketmaster in September 2024. The probe focuses on the sale of tickets for the Oasis reunion tour, specifically examining the use of “dynamic pricing” – where prices fluctuate based on demand. The CMA is scrutinising whether consumers were given clear information and whether the practice constitutes an unfair commercial practice.
This European scrutiny extends to the continent, where the European Commission has confirmed it is also looking into the use of dynamic pricing for concert tickets amid concerns from lawmakers in Brussels.
German Fans Demand Accountability
In Germany, frustration with the ticketing ecosystem has boiled over into public petitions, highlighting issues that often extend beyond Ticketmaster’s direct control but implicate its platform.
Fans of the Monster Jam live motorsport events have launched a petition calling on Feld Entertainment, the licence holder, to offer a “goodwill gesture” to ticket holders. Events planned for 2024 and 2025 in Gelsenkirchen and Frankfurt were cancelled after the German promoter, PK Events (Eisbär Events), declared insolvency, leaving many fans without refunds. While acknowledging Feld Entertainment is not legally responsible, the petition argues the company has a “moral responsibility” to its German fanbase.
Separately, fans of Adele’s August 2024 Munich concerts petitioned against Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and promoter Leutgeb Entertainment Group. They allege unfair and exploitative sales practices, including the prolonged blocking of ticket transfer and resale functions, which they claim increased the risk of scams and left fans feeling misled.
Key Facts & Figures
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| FTC Lawsuit (Sep 2025) | Alleges Ticketmaster allowed brokers to bypass limits, reaping $3.7bn in resale fees (2019-2024). |
| DOJ Antitrust Case (May 2024) | Joined by 40 US states; seeks to break up Live Nation’s alleged monopoly. |
| UK CMA Investigation (Sep 2024) | Probing dynamic pricing and consumer protection in Oasis ticket sales. |
| Estimated Market Share | Controls ticketing at 70-80% of major concert venues in the United States. |
| Consumer Spending | FTC states consumers spent over $82.6bn on Ticketmaster from 2019 to 2024. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “dynamic pricing”?
Dynamic pricing is a demand-based system where ticket prices can increase in real-time when demand is high. Ticketmaster introduced it in 2022, arguing it directs more revenue to artists and combats touts. Critics say it lacks transparency and leads to unexpectedly high costs for fans.
Why are German fans specifically angry?
German frustrations often involve third-party promoters. In the Monster Jam case, a local promoter’s insolvency left fans without refunds, leading to calls for the global rights holder to step in. For Adele, fans felt trapped by restrictive resale rules on the Ticketmaster platform, which they believe were not clearly communicated at purchase.
What could happen to Ticketmaster?
The US lawsuits could result in substantial financial penalties and, in the DOJ case, a court-ordered breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The UK and EU investigations could lead to fines and enforced changes to business practices. The cumulative pressure may force greater transparency in fees and pricing globally.