Live Nation Backs California Bills to Lower Ticket Prices

Critics argue the concert giant can't be trusted to protect fans from high costs.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:50pm by

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A close-up photograph of a crumpled, empty concert ticket stub resting on a plain, white background, conveying the frustration of music fans with the high costs of live events.A tattered concert ticket stub serves as a somber symbol of the ongoing battle between fans and the live music industry's pricing practices.San Francisco Today

Live Nation, the dominant concert promoter in the U.S., is supporting two California bills that aim to lower ticket prices. However, some consumer advocates are skeptical, citing Live Nation's history of high prices and scalping issues.

Why it matters

Ticket prices for major concerts have skyrocketed in recent years, putting live music out of reach for many fans. While the proposed legislation could provide some relief, there are concerns that Live Nation, which controls much of the concert industry, may not have fans' best interests in mind.

The details

Earlier this year, tickets to see SZA perform in Los Angeles were resold for $600, despite an initial price of $35. In San Francisco, tickets to see Sam Smith were quickly snatched up by scalpers and resold for over $120. The new California bills aim to address these issues by requiring more transparency around ticket pricing and limiting resale markups.

  • In early 2026, tickets to see SZA in Los Angeles were resold for $600 the day before the official on-sale date.
  • Also in early 2026, tickets to see Sam Smith in San Francisco were quickly bought up by scalpers and resold for over $120.

The players

Live Nation

The dominant concert promoter in the United States, which has been criticized for high ticket prices and scalping issues.

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The takeaway

While the proposed California bills aim to address the problem of high concert ticket prices, there are concerns that Live Nation, which controls much of the industry, may not have fans' best interests in mind and could find ways to undermine the legislation.