A large number of Taylor Swift fans are suing Ticketmaster over issues with ticket sales for her upcoming Eras tour. There has been enormous demand for tickets to Swift’s first tour in 5 years, leading to website crashes, long wait times, and rapid sell-outs that have left many fans empty-handed. Frustrated fans have filed at least two proposed class action lawsuits alleging insufficient ticket supply, website failures, and violations of anti-trust laws by Ticketmaster.
What is the Issue with Ticketmaster and Taylor Swift Tickets?
The key problems cited by Swift fans suing Ticketmaster include:
- Insufficient Ticket Supply – Despite high demand, only 13% of tickets for Swift’s tour were made available to the general public. The majority were held for presales, VIP packages, etc. Fans feel more tickets should have been released.
- Website Failures – On presale days, Ticketmaster’s sites crashed or had long wait times of up to 8+ hours. Many fans lost tickets they had waited for or could not purchase them.
- Quick Sellouts – Available tickets sold out within minutes, before many had a chance to purchase. For an artist as popular as Swift, fans think more shows should have been added.
- Anti-Competitive Conduct – Ticketmaster is the exclusive ticket provider for Swift’s tour, which some see as an anti-competitive monopoly.
The lack of accessible tickets and website problems left many Swifties ticketless and angry at Ticketmaster.
Lawsuits Filed Against Ticketmaster
Currently at least two class action lawsuits have been filed:
Laude v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.
Filed in California by Swift fans Elle Laude and Manasa Thimmegowda, alleging:
- Insufficient ticket supply and inability to meet customer demand
- Intentional deception and over-selling of VIP packages
- Failure to provide functional sales platform
Seeking compensation for consumers nationwide unable to purchase tickets.
McPhearson v. Ticketmaster LLC
Filed in Tennessee by Swift fans Shana McPhearson and Darlene Brown, alleging:
- Violations of anti-trust laws through Ticketmaster’s exclusive deals with major venues
- Deceptive practices around presales and VIP packages
- Disproportionate ticket supply violating agreements with DOJ after Live Nation/Ticketmaster merger
Seeking better disclosure around ticket sales and anti-trust practices.
Potential Class Size – How Many Could Join?
It’s estimated over 3.5 million people tried to buy tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour on Ticketmaster. Not all were able to purchase tickets, but even a fraction joining the suits would make a massive class. Some projections on potential class size:
Percentage Joining | Number of Fans |
---|---|
1% | 35,000 |
5% | 175,000 |
10% | 350,000 |
15% | 525,000 |
Given Swift’s popularity and fans’ passion, the class could easily reach into the hundreds of thousands. Even 1% is a very sizable class for a lawsuit.
Status of the Lawsuits
Both lawsuits against Ticketmaster are currently pending. Some key next steps include:
- Motion to Consolidate – The plaintiffs may file to combine both cases into one larger class action suit.
- Injunctions – Plaintiffs may seek injunctions to halt further ticket sales until demands are met.
- Discovery – Information exchanges between parties to gather evidence on Ticketmaster’s practices.
- Depositions – Questioning Ticketmaster executives and employees under oath.
- Swift’s Involvement? – It’s unclear if Swift herself will become involved in the suits.
It could take months or longer before the suits reach a resolution or trial. The legal process tends to move slowly.
What Could Ticketmaster Face?
If the class actions succeed, Ticketmaster could face:
- Fines & Monetary Damages – Forced to pay out substantial amounts to compensate fans.
- Injunctions – Blocked from restrictive practices around ticket sales.
- DOJ Antitrust Probe – Investigation into possible anti-competitive violations.
- Loss of Swift Partnership – Swift could end exclusive deal if misconduct found.
- PR Damage – Significant harm to Ticketmaster’s reputation.
Monetary damages could tally tens of millions given the potential class size. Bad PR could also lead more artists to drop Ticketmaster contracts.
Conclusion
The Ticketmaster debacle with Taylor Swift’s Eras tour ticketing has resulted in at least two major class action lawsuits filed by angry fans left ticketless. With a potential class size in the hundreds of thousands, these suits pose a major legal threat to Ticketmaster’s business practices around exclusive ticketing deals and presales. The cases bear monitoring as they progress through pre-trial phases in the coming months. Significant fines, business changes, and damage to Ticketmaster’s reputation could result if the classes prevail. Beyond the legal impacts, the suits underscore the massive power and influence of Taylor Swift’s fandom in action.