FTC probes Live Nation and AEG collusion, warns StubHub
Live Nation and competitor AEG are being investigated by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over refunds for pandemic-era concert cancellations. Separately, the FTC has warned StubHub that it must act faster to implement federal ticket fee transparency rules.
FTC probes Live Nation and AEG collusion
Days after the pandemic lockdown in May of 2020, promoters Live Nation and AEG and major agencies CAA, WME, Paradigm and UTA issued a joint statement that “the world’s leading forces in live entertainment have come together to form a global task force to drive strategic support and unified direction ensuring precautionary efforts and ongoing protocol are in the best interest of artists, fans, staff, and the global community.”
Those efforts began with concert postponements and later allegedly included refund policies for cancelled and postponed shows as well as efforts to minimize losses to artists.
Live Nation denies any wrongdoing.
“It is not illegal for artist agents, promoters and ticketing companies to work together to solve the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic,” Dan Wall, Live Nation EVP of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs said in a statement “While Live Nation contributed to this industry effort in good faith, we set our own unique policies and refund terms to support fans and artists. We did not collude with AEG or anyone else. We are proud of our leadership during those trying times, and if any charges result from this investigation, we will defend them vigorously.”
More FTC and DoJ Actions
The new probe comes alongside a Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission public inquiry into the concert and ticketing industries announced earlier this month and the DoJ’s ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster scheduled to go to trial in March 2026.
The lawsuit alleging monopolistic practices continues against a backdrop of growing scrutiny by the Trump administration and indications that the independent live music sector is struggling in the U.S.
StubHub Warning
The FTC also warned StubHub, the nation’s largest ticket exchange and resale business, that “it appears to have misrepresented the total price of some of the tickets displayed for sale on its website, in violation of the agency’s new Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees (Fees Rule).”
StubHub, the nation’s largest ticket exchange and resale business, stating that it appears to have misrepresented the total price of some of the tickets displayed for sale on its website, in violation of the agency’s new Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees.”
Under the Rule, which was announced in December of last year and took effect on May 12, it is “an unfair and deceptive practice for any business to offer, display, or advertise the price of a live-event ticket without clearly, conspicuously, and prominently disclosing the total price.” The FTC defines that as “the maximum total of all fees or charges a consumer must pay for any good(s) or service(s) and any mandatory ancillary good or service,” excluding only taxes, shipping, and charges for optional items.”
“Companies have had sufficient time to prepare for these changes and update their advertising to ensure the total price of each product or service is appropriately disclosed,” said Chris Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “As this letter shows, the Commission will not allow companies to circumvent the rule to gain a competitive advantage.”
Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, a Berklee College Of Music professor and founder of the Skyline Artists Agency
FTC probes Live Nation and AEG collusion, warns StubHub first appeared on Hypebot.com
