Ticketmaster Quietly Adds New Hidden Charges To Cover Crackdown On ‘junk Fees,’ Report Says

Months aft U.S. regulators banned astonishment fees that look while purchasing tickets, Ticketmaster raised nan costs of different fees to “offset nan gross loss,” according to a report.

Ticketmaster vowed past May that it would show all-in summons pricing upfront to customers aft a Federal Trade Commission prohibition connected alleged “junk fees” went into effect.

While Ticketmaster stopped charging nan mini amounts it tacks connected astatine checkout to comply pinch nan rules, it raised nan value of different fees it charges to dress up for nan loss, documents obtained by The Guardian revealed.

“To relationship for nan nonaccomplishment of bid processing revenue, we must set fees to offset nan gross loss,” Ticketmaster wrote successful an email to nan Findlay Toyota Center successful Arizona past year.

The venue had ditched its $6 bid processing fee, but raised nan costs of its work interest by $2 a ticket.

The outlet obtained copies of Ticketmaster’s contracts pinch 26 venues crossed nan country. Most of nan contacts described an bid processing interest akin to nan 1 successful nan email to nan Findlay Toyota Center, which is nary longer allowed nether FTC rules.

Additionally, astatine slightest 8 of nan venues amended their contracts to raise different fees pursuing nan all-in pricing rules, according to nan report.

Grouping an forbidden interest pinch different complaint could spell against nan FTC’s norm against misrepresenting fees, which took effect past May, erstwhile regulators told nan outlet.

“Ticketmaster whitethorn efficaciously still beryllium charging nan fee, conscionable disguising it arsenic thing else. That type of behaviour tin tally afoul of nan FTC rule,” according to John Newman, a erstwhile economist astatine nan FTC.

The Independent has contacted Ticketmaster for comment.

In a connection to The Guardian, nan institution said, “Since May 2025, tickets connected Ticketmaster.com person displayed nan afloat value upfront successful statement pinch nan FTC’s all-in pricing rule. We besides supply explanations of fees during nan acquisition process and support a dedicated page pinch further information.”

The study comes as Live Nation Entertainment, which owns some Ticketmaster and Live Nation, is facing an antitrust proceedings complete claims that it is an forbidden monopoly successful nan unrecorded euphony industry.

The U.S. Department of Justice had antecedently revenge a suit against nan intermezo company, but abruptly reached a tentative colony days aft nan proceedings began earlier this month.

While nan DOJ withdrew its claims, much than 30 states are rejecting nan settlement.

Live Nation Entertainment has denied that it operates arsenic a monopoly.