What Live Nation does
Live Nation Entertainment is the largest concert promoter and ticket seller in the United States. They book artists into venues, organize the logistics of tours, and sell tickets through their Ticketmaster platform. If you buy a ticket to a major concert, festival, or arena show, there is a significant chance Live Nation either promoted the event or processed your ticket sale.
Live Nation does not own most of the venues where concerts happen — they partner with independent theaters, arenas, and outdoor spaces. What they control is the promotion side: they negotiate with artists, set tour dates, handle marketing, and manage the ticketing system. Understanding this structure matters because it affects where your money goes, what fees you pay, and who to contact if something goes wrong.
The company also owns and operates some venues directly, including House of Blues locations and other theaters across North America. They produce their own festivals like Rock in Rio and iHeartRadio Music Festival. But the core business is moving tickets from artists to fans.
Key Takeaways
- Live Nation promotes most major concerts and uses Ticketmaster to sell tickets, so fees and policies flow through both companies together.
- Ticket prices shown online do not include Live Nation and Ticketmaster fees, which are added at checkout and can add 20 to 40 percent to the base price.
- Live Nation events are non-refundable unless the show is cancelled or rescheduled, and the artist or venue decides the new date — not Live Nation alone.
- If a show is postponed or cancelled, Live Nation posts updates on the event page and through Ticketmaster, but you must check yourself rather than waiting for an email.
- Complaints about ticket sales, fees, or access issues go to Ticketmaster customer service first, since they handle the transaction, though Live Nation sets the promotion terms.
How ticket fees work
When you see a concert ticket listed at $75, that is the face value set by the artist or venue. Live Nation and Ticketmaster then add separate fees on top. These include a facility charge (which goes to the venue), a service fee (which Ticketmaster keeps), and sometimes a delivery fee if you choose digital or physical mail delivery.
The total of these fees varies by event and venue. A $75 ticket might cost $95 to $105 by the time you complete checkout. There is no single percentage — some events have lower fees, others higher. The fees are shown in the checkout summary before you pay, so you can see the full amount, but they are not included in the advertised price.
Live Nation does not set the service fees directly — Ticketmaster does — but Live Nation benefits from the ticket sale and has negotiated the fee structure with Ticketmaster as part of their business relationship. If you want to know why fees are high for a specific show, the event page sometimes lists what portion goes where, though this is not always transparent.
Refunds and cancellations
Live Nation and Ticketmaster operate under a non-refundable ticket policy for most events. If you buy a ticket and change your mind, you cannot get your money back. You can resell the ticket through Ticketmaster's resale platform, but the original purchase is final.
The exception is if Live Nation or the venue cancels the show entirely. In that case, you receive a full refund to your original payment method, usually within 30 days. If the show is postponed to a new date, your ticket is valid for the rescheduled date — you do not get to choose whether to keep it or get a refund. The artist and venue decide the new date together, and Live Nation coordinates the logistics.
If a show is rescheduled and you cannot attend the new date, some venues or artists offer a refund window — typically 30 days after the new date is announced — but this is not may provide. Check the event page or contact Ticketmaster to see if that option exists for your show.
How to find and buy tickets
Most Live Nation events are sold through Ticketmaster.com, though some smaller venues use other platforms. The easiest way to find a show is to search the artist's name on Ticketmaster or go directly to the venue's website. Live Nation's own site, livenation.com, also lists events and links to ticket sales.
When you buy, you choose how to receive your ticket: digital (emailed to you when ready), physical mail (shipped to your address), or will-call (picked up at the venue box office on the day of the show). Digital is fastest and has no delivery fee. Physical mail takes 7 to 14 days and costs extra. Will-call is free but requires you to arrive early on show day with a valid ID.
Tickets often go on sale in waves. A presale for fan club members or credit card holders happens first, then general sale opens to the public. Presale codes are usually sent by email or posted on the artist's social media. If you miss presale, you can still buy during general sale, though popular shows may sell out.
What happens if there is a problem with your ticket
If your ticket does not arrive, you cannot access your digital ticket, or you have a question about your order, contact Ticketmaster customer service through their website or app. They handle all transaction issues. Live Nation handles the promotion and artist relations, but Ticketmaster handles the customer-facing support.
If you lose or damage a physical ticket, Ticketmaster can reissue it, though there may be a fee and you will need proof of purchase. For digital tickets, you can read them again from your Ticketmaster account at any time. If you forget your login, use the password reset option on the Ticketmaster site.
If you believe you were charged incorrectly or a fee was applied in error, Ticketmaster can review the charge. Disputes typically take 5 to 10 business days to investigate. Keep your order confirmation email as proof of what you paid.
Reselling tickets through Ticketmaster
If you bought a ticket and can no longer attend, you can resell it through Ticketmaster's resale marketplace. Log into your Ticketmaster account, find the event, and select the option to resell. You set the price (which can be higher or lower than you paid), and Ticketmaster handles the transaction with the buyer.
Ticketmaster takes a percentage of the resale price as a commission, typically 10 to 15 percent. The buyer pays the resale price plus their own fees. You receive the proceeds minus Ticketmaster's cut, usually within 2 to 5 business days after the buyer purchases.
Some events have restrictions on resale — for example, certain presale tickets cannot be resold, or resale is not allowed until a certain date. Check the event page to see if resale is available for your ticket before you list it.
Understanding venue and artist relationships
Live Nation promotes the show, but the artist and venue make decisions about the event itself. If you have a question about age restrictions, accessibility accommodations, or what items you can bring into the venue, contact the venue directly — their box office or website will have that information. Live Nation can point you to the venue, but they do not set those rules.
Similarly, if an artist cancels or postpones a tour, that decision comes from the artist's team. Live Nation coordinates the rescheduling and communicates it through Ticketmaster, but the artist controls whether the show happens and when.
If you have a complaint about Live Nation's promotion practices, ticket pricing, or fees, you can contact their customer relations department through their website. However, most day-to-day issues are resolved faster through Ticketmaster, since that is where the transaction occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Live Nation and Ticketmaster fees so high?
Ticketmaster charges a service fee to process the transaction and maintain the platform. Live Nation and the venue split other fees. The exact breakdown varies by event. These fees fund customer service, fraud prevention, and the infrastructure to sell millions of tickets. You can see the full fee breakdown before you pay, but you cannot avoid them — they are built into how Live Nation and Ticketmaster operate.
Can I get a refund if I do not like the show?
No. Tickets are non-refundable once purchased, even if you change your mind or the show disappoints you. Your only option is to resell the ticket through Ticketmaster's resale marketplace. Refunds are only issued if the show is cancelled entirely.
What if the artist reschedules the show to a date I cannot attend?
Your ticket is automatically valid for the new date. If you cannot attend, some venues offer a refund window after the new date is announced, but this is not may provide. Check the event page or contact Ticketmaster to see if a refund option exists for your specific show.
How do I know if my ticket is real or a scam?
Buy only through Ticketmaster.com, the official venue website, or Ticketmaster's authorized resale marketplace. Never buy from third-party sites or individuals outside these channels. Scam tickets are common on unauthorized sites. If you bought through Ticketmaster and have your order confirmation, your ticket is legitimate.
What if I never received my physical ticket in the mail?
Contact Ticketmaster customer service with your order number. They can reissue the ticket or switch you to will-call pickup at the venue. Physical tickets typically arrive 7 to 14 days after purchase, so allow that time before contacting support. If the show is within a week, request will-call delivery instead.