Ticketmaster, the world’s largest ticketing company, is facing major backlash over its high ticket fees and ongoing controversy surrounding scalping.
In recent years, Ticketmaster has come under fire for charging exorbitant fees on ticket purchases. These fees can sometimes amount to as much as 40% of the ticket’s face value, making it difficult for many fans to afford attending events. In addition, many fans have expressed frustration over Ticketmaster’s opaque pricing practices, with fees often added at the last minute during checkout.
To make matters worse, Ticketmaster has also been embroiled in controversy over its alleged involvement in the resale of tickets at inflated prices by scalpers. In 2018, an investigative report by CBC and the Toronto Star revealed that Ticketmaster has been operating a secret program called TradeDesk, which allows professional scalpers to purchase tickets in bulk and then resell them on Ticketmaster’s own resale platform, TicketsNow.
This revelation has further fueled the anger of fans who feel that Ticketmaster’s practices are unfair and exploitative. Many have accused the company of prioritizing profits over the interests of fans, and some have even called for boycotts of Ticketmaster in response.
In response to the backlash, Ticketmaster has defended its fees as necessary to cover the cost of providing a secure and efficient ticketing service. The company has also denied any direct involvement in scalping, claiming that it takes measures to prevent the resale of tickets at inflated prices.
However, these explanations have done little to quell the outrage of fans who feel that they are being taken advantage of by Ticketmaster. Many have expressed frustration at the lack of transparency and accountability from the company, and have called for greater regulation of the ticketing industry to prevent these sorts of practices from continuing.
In the meantime, some artists have taken matters into their own hands by working to reduce the impact of ticket fees and scalping on their fans. Artists like Pearl Jam and Ed Sheeran have implemented measures to limit the resale of their tickets at inflated prices, and others have spoken out against Ticketmaster’s practices.
Ultimately, the backlash against Ticketmaster highlights the growing frustration among fans with the high costs and inaccessibility of live events. As the industry continues to grapple with these issues, it remains to be seen whether Ticketmaster and other ticketing companies will take meaningful steps to address the concerns of fans and ensure fair and affordable access to live entertainment.
Ticketmaster faces backlash over high fees and scalping controversy
