In recent weeks, there has been growing backlash against Ticketmaster, one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. Calls for boycotts and protests against the company have proliferated across social media and online communities. This outrage stems primarily from Ticketmaster’s exorbitant hidden fees, limited event ticket availability, and controversial dynamic pricing model.
What are the main reasons people are boycotting Ticketmaster?
There are several key reasons why consumers are calling for a boycott of Ticketmaster services:
High hidden fees
Ticketmaster is notorious for tacking on excessive hidden fees during the checkout process. These can include service fees, order processing fees, facility charges, and more. A ticket that appears affordably priced can gain 30%, 40%, or even higher fees by checkout. Fans complain these undisclosed fees make Ticketmaster events unreasonably expensive.
Limited ticket availability
Critics claim Ticketmaster deliberately limits quantity of tickets available for general public sale. Many tickets are held for presales, VIP packages, resellers, and other privileged buyers. This forces fans into hypercompetitive lotteries for the few remaining tickets. Some events even sell out entirely during presale before the general public sale begins. Fans feel this system is unfair and limits their ability to buy tickets.
Dynamic pricing
Ticketmaster utilizes demand-based dynamic pricing, where ticket prices fluctuate based on market demand. While economically sound, fans dislike seeing ticket prices skyrocket for hot events simply due to high demand. Some artists, such as Bruce Springsteen, have criticized dynamic pricing as counter to the spirit of live entertainment.
Lack of viable alternatives
As one of the largest primary ticket outlets, fans often have no choice but to purchase through Ticketmaster for major concerts and shows. Ticketmaster’s exclusive contracts with many venues lock out competition. This lack of alternative options fuels resentment toward the company.
What are some of the major events sparking this boycott movement?
Backlash against Ticketmaster has grown considerably in recent months due to controversies surrounding ticket sales for several major events:
Taylor Swift ‘The Eras’ Tour
Massive demand for Taylor Swift’s upcoming stadium tour led to rampant site glitches, crashes, and multi-hour virtual queues during the Ticketmaster presale in November 2022. Fans complained of being booted mid-transaction and finding thousands of dollars in fees added to their carts. Swift herself criticized the process.
Bruce Springsteen tour
Ticket prices for Bruce Springsteen’s 2023 tour soared as high as $5000 on Ticketmaster due to dynamic pricing, sparking criticism from fans. Springsteen himself denounced the soaring costs and the lack of affordability this created for working-class fans.
World Cup 2022
During the 2022 World Cup, Ticketmaster attracted criticism for extreme ticket resale markups on the site and transfer restrictions that prevented fans from freely selling tickets they could no longer use.
How are people protesting or boycotting Ticketmaster?
The boycott effort has taken shape across various channels:
Social media campaigns
Viral hashtags like #BoycottTicketmaster have spread across Twitter and Instagram as fans encourage each other to stop using Ticketmaster. High profile figures in music and entertainment have also voiced support.
Petitions
Online petitions calling for investigation into Ticketmaster have accumulated vast numbers of signatures. One Change.org petition has over 100,000 signatures.
Refusing to buy resale tickets
Some fans are pledging to not purchase marked-up Ticketmaster resale tickets as a matter of principle. However, such boycotts could prove challenging given lack of alternatives.
Calling on artists to speak out
Fans are pressuring bands, musicians, and celebrity endorsers to publicly condemn or cut ties with Ticketmaster where possible. Big names like Swift and Springsteen denouncing Ticketmaster fuels motivation.
Calling on politicians to investigate
Critics are appealing for greater government antitrust scrutiny of Ticketmaster and investigation into potential abuse of market power. Some politicians have signaled willingness to examine the issue.
What are the chances the boycott efforts will succeed or impact Ticketmaster?
It remains to be seen how substantially the boycott efforts may impact Ticketmaster operations or revenues. Some factors to consider:
Ticketmaster’s dominant position
As the primary ticket seller for many major venues and events, fans have limited ability to entirely avoid Ticketmaster. Switching large venues and tours to new ticket sellers in the near term may prove challenging.
High demand events
For hugely popular artists and hot events, high demand could persist even in spite of boycott efforts. Such high demand makes it harder to resist using Ticketmaster.
Lack of competition
The lack of viable competitor ticketing platforms limits alternatives for major events. New entrants face high barriers to scaling up to Ticketmaster’s level. This entrenchment reduces vulnerability.
Company responses
If Ticketmaster takes steps to improve transparency, curb fees, or enhance fan experience, it could defuse some public outrage. However, structural factors may limit big changes.
Government action
Pending greater antitrust scrutiny or regulatory changes, Ticketmaster retains dominant position. But in the longer term, legal or policy action could potentially open space for rivals.
What are some alternatives to Ticketmaster that consumers can support?
Fans seeking Ticketmaster alternatives face limited options, but some platforms gaining traction include:
| Company | Description |
|---|---|
| AXS | Digital ticketing platform used by major events like Coachella. Seen as more transparent on fees. |
| Dice | Mobile-focused ticketing app partnering with independent venues. No hidden fees. |
| Eventbrite | Self-service event management and ticketing platform. Popular for smaller/local events. |
| SeatGeek | Mobile-centric ticket resale marketplace. Some primary ticket sales. |
However, most lack Ticketmaster’s scale and venue partnerships. Fans face tradeoffs using smaller platforms, including fewer event options and less seamlessness.
Independent venues and DIY events may offer fully Ticketmaster-free ticketing, but lack big mainstream acts. Still, supporting alternatives helps slowly shift market share.
Conclusion
Widespread frustration with Ticketmaster’s fees and services has sparked a consumer uprising and calls for a mass boycott. While the company’s entrenched position poses challenges, the outcry signals a desire for more equitable, transparent ticketing. If amplified, this sentiment could force a reckoning – either through government intervention, industry disruption, or Ticketmaster itself needing to reevaluate aspects of its model. With live events returning in full force post-pandemic, there is opportunity to reshape a broken status quo. Though change takes time, the seeds of a fan revolution have been planted.