Ticketmaster Timeline: A running list of clashes between the event organizer, fans and artists

The Justice Department filed a wide-ranging antitrust lawsuit Thursday against Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation Entertainment, accusing them of having an illegal monopoly on live events in America – stifling competition and inflating prices for fans.

Here’s a timeline of some of the conflicts between artists, fans and Ticketmaster over the years.

Pearl Jam vs. Ticketmaster – 1994

Pearl Jam filed a complaint against Ticketmaster with the Department of Justice, alleging that the company used its position in the industry to stop promoters from booking the band because they complained about Ticketmaster’s prices. Pearl Jam also alleged that the company had a monopoly on ticket distribution due to its ties to various venues.

Stubhub vs. Ticketmaster and Golden State Warriors – 2015

StubHub sued Ticketmaster and the Golden State Warriors, claiming it unfairly requires fans looking to resell tickets to use the Ticketmaster resale exchange.

Online ticketing platform and division of eBay Inc. based in San Jose, California, alleged in the lawsuit that these organizations prevent fans from deciding how they want to resell tickets and artificially inflate ticket prices.

Swifties vs. Ticketmaster – 2022

In November, Taylor Swift posted an article on Instagram expressing her anger and frustration over the hours fans spent trying to buy tickets for her tour.

Fans trying to get pre-sale tickets for Swift The Eras tour were met with massive delays and error messages, which Ticketmaster blamed on bots and unprecedented demand.

Boss vs. usher – 2022

Bruce Springsteen fans also went into uproar when tickets for his tour first went on sale, particularly due to Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing model that saw tickets skyrocket to $5,000 or more when he was big demand.

Ticketmaster said at the time that the vast majority of Springsteen fans were able to purchase tickets at face value, which averaged $202.

US Senate vs. Ticketmaster – 2023

The issue of Ticketmaster’s dominance in the entertainment industry is before the U.S. Senate, and lawmakers want to know whether a lack of competition contributed to its spectacular collapse in Taylor Swift concert ticket sales.

Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee also debated possible actions, including making tickets non-transferable to curb scalping and requiring more transparency around ticket fees. Some lawmakers are suggesting it may be time to separate Ticketmaster and concert promoter Live Nation. The Department of Justice approved the merger in 2010.

Minnesota vs. Ticketmaster – 2024

In May, the Taylor Swift bill is signed into law in Minnesota. The bill aims to provide greater transparency and protections for people purchasing tickets online for concerts, sporting events and other live events in the state.

The law, sparked by lawmakers’ frustration over the inability to purchase tickets to Swift’s 2023 concert in Minneapolis, would require ticket sellers to disclose all fees up front and prohibit resellers from, among other things, selling more than one copy of the ticket. The law will apply to tickets purchased in Minnesota or other states for concerts or other live events taking place in Minnesota.

The Act enters into force on January 1, 2025 and applies to tickets sold on or after that date.