Ticketmaster is the largest primary ticket outlet for major concert tours and sporting events in the United States and around the world. Recently, there has been some confusion around why Ticketmaster is not selling tickets for international artist SUGA’s upcoming world tour. Here are some quick answers about the situation:
– SUGA is a member of the hugely popular K-pop group BTS. He is embarking on a solo world tour called SUGA The Agust D Tour in 2023.
– Ticketmaster has an exclusive contract with Live Nation, the promoter for SUGA’s North American tour dates. This contract gives Live Nation the right to handle all ticketing services for events they promote.
– For the North American leg of SUGA’s tour, Live Nation has chosen to use a different ticketing service called Verified Fan through Ticketmaster. This system aims to get more tickets directly into the hands of fans instead of resellers.
– International dates for SUGA’s tour are being promoted by different companies in each region. Ticketmaster only handles ticketing for the North American Live Nation dates. Other sites are selling tickets for shows outside of North America.
So in summary, the lack of SUGA tickets on Ticketmaster is not unusual given the tour promoter’s ticketing choices and Ticketmaster’s exclusive deals. Fans can still easily access tickets through other reputable sellers for international dates on the tour.
The Exclusive Live Nation-Ticketmaster Deal
Ticketmaster’s lack of SUGA tour tickets for North American dates comes down to Live Nation’s exclusive ticketing deal. In 2010, Live Nation and Ticketmaster merged into the world’s largest live events company.
As part of the merger terms, the U.S. Department of Justice required Ticketmaster to maintain an arms-length relationship with Live Nation. However, in 2019, Ticketmaster and Live Nation negotiated a new deal that gave Live Nation more control.
This new agreement extends Ticketmaster’s exclusive rights to handle ticketing for all Live Nation owned or operated venues and events. Previously, acts performing at Live Nation venues could choose to use other ticketing services. Now, Ticketmaster has exclusive ticketing rights for Live Nation promoted events in the United States through 2030.
Since Live Nation is promoting SUGA’s North American tour dates, Ticketmaster is contractually obligated to handle ticketing services. However, Live Nation does have the right to utilize different Ticketmaster products like Verified Fan.
Key Impacts of the Live Nation-Ticketmaster Deal
– Ticketmaster remains the dominant primary ticket seller for major concert tours and sporting events in the U.S.
– Artists booked by Live Nation for U.S. venues and events no longer have a choice on ticketing sales platforms.
– Critics argue the deal stifles competition and consumer options in the ticketing marketplace.
– The deal gives Live Nation more control over ticket pricing and fees.
– Government regulators continue to monitor the merger terms for fair competition.
So in short, SUGA’s North American tour tickets are not on normal Ticketmaster because Live Nation has chosen to use its Verified Fan system instead. This exclusive deal locks in Ticketmaster as the only ticketing service able to sell tickets for these shows in the U.S.
Verified Fan Ticketing System
For SUGA’s North American concerts promoted by Live Nation, Ticketmaster is using their Verified Fan platform instead of general ticket sales. The goal of Verified Fan is to get more tickets directly into the hands of genuine fans during pre-sales.
Here’s an overview of how it works:
– Fans register for a Verified Fan code through Ticketmaster in advance of the tour announcement. This involves providing personal information and details about your past concert history.
– Ticketmaster uses its data and algorithms to validate fans and filter out potential ticket resellers.
– Verified Fans are emailed a personal code that gives them access to the pre-sale before the general public.
– Tickets are first come, first served for Verified Fans during the exclusive pre-sale window. Their unique code allows purchase.
– After the Verified Fan pre-sale ends, any remaining tickets go on sale to the general public.
Live Nation believes using Verified Fan for SUGA’s tour will maximize real fan attendance and limit reseller activity. The system has been used for several major tours recently including Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Bruce Springsteen.
However, some fans argue the system is flawed and still allows resellers to obtain tickets. Others feel it violates privacy through extensive data collection. But Live Nation contends Verified Fan achieves its goals of fairer ticket access when properly executed.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Verified Fan
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| – Prioritizes tickets to fans instead of resellers | – Registration system is time consuming for fans |
| – Utilizes data to identify real fans better | – Verification process is not always accurate |
| – Gives fans early access during pre-sales | – Some resellers still beat the system |
| – Limits number of tickets per code | – Potential privacy issues around data |
| – Code required for purchase stops bots | – Tickets may sell out during pre-sale |
International SUGA Tour Tickets
While Ticketmaster is the exclusive seller for Live Nation-promoted North American shows, international dates on SUGA’s tour involve different promoters in each region. This means tickets for non-North American shows are available on various ticket outlets depending on location.
For example:
Asia
– Promoter: P-Three Entertainment
– Ticketing: Local providers like Yes24 in South Korea
Europe
– Promoter: AEG Presents
– Ticketing: Eventim in UK, Ireland and Germany. Other local providers in each country.
South America
– Promoter: T4F in Brazil. Different local promoters elsewhere.
– Ticketing: Ingresso Rapido in Brazil. Other local ticketing companies.
Australia/New Zealand
– Promoter: TEG Dainty
– Ticketing: Ticketek in Australia and New Zealand
So in summary, Ticketmaster is only handling ticketing for Live Nation promoted North American dates. International legs are being managed separately by regional promoters and ticketing companies in each area. Fans outside of North America can check local music websites and ticket sellers to find authorized sellers in their country.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster is not directly selling any tickets for SUGA’s upcoming world tour for a few key reasons:
– For North American dates promoted by Live Nation, Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan system is being used instead of general ticket sales. This aims to get more tickets into genuine fan hands.
– Ticketmaster and Live Nation have an exclusive deal that requires Ticketmaster to handle ticketing for all Live Nation events in the U.S. through 2030.
– The tour has different regional promoters and ticketing providers handling international dates outside of North America.
While fans won’t see SUGA tickets on normal Ticketmaster, genuine tickets are still readily available. Verified Fan provides priority access for North American shows, while international fans can safely purchase through authorized local ticketing companies in each country. The lack of Ticketmaster sales stems from strategic choices by Live Nation combined with their exclusive ticketing deal.
