Live Nation CEO Claims Concert Tickets Are Underpriced A Familiar Stance Resurfaces
Live Nation CEO’s Comments on Concert Ticket Pricing Ignite Controversy
Concert Ticket Pricing: CEO Michael Rapino Sparks Furious Debate
Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino has ignited a debate among concert enthusiasts following his controversial statement on CNBC, suggesting that concert tickets are underpriced. His remarks have provoked a backlash from both occasional attendees and avid music fans who are increasingly frustrated by the high cost of attending live performances.
Long-Standing Debate: Are Concert Tickets Really Underpriced?
Rapino’s assertion aligns with a perspective held by Live Nation leadership for years, predating the pandemic. Despite ongoing complaints regarding escalating concert costs, executives like Rapino, President Joe Berchtold, and global promoter Arthur Fogel, maintain that ticket prices for top-tier acts are still a bargain compared to market demand.
Live Music vs. Other Entertainment: ‘Concerts are Undervalued,’ Says Rapino
While speaking at CNBC’s Game Plan conference in Los Angeles, Rapino compared live music to other entertainment forms, arguing that it remains underappreciated. He noted the disparity between concert pricing and sports event tickets, highlighting that an $800 ticket to see Beyoncé seems hefty when courtside seats for a Knicks game fetch $70,000. Rapino reiterated this perspective by pointing out that the average concert price is $72, challenging critics to find similar value in other live events like a Lakers game.
Industry Reaction: Fans and Artists Push Back
Rapino’s comments quickly spread across social media, where they were met with widespread criticism. Grammy-winning musician Jack Antonoff expressed his dismay, while fans admonished Rapino as being disconnected from reality due to rising concert expenses making live performances inaccessible.
Understanding the Price Dynamics: Market Discrepancies and Resale Market Boom
Data from Billboard Boxscore reveals that ticket prices for the top 100 tours surged over 30% in 2024, averaging $130 per ticket—a 9% year-over-year increase. Stadium concert ticket prices also saw a hike, rising from an average of $125.10 in 2023 to $140.42 in 2025.
- Primary vs. Secondary Markets: Rapino’s $72 figure combines all show types, while Billboard focuses on the highest-grossing tours.
- Resale Market Dynamics: Rapino highlights the booming resale market, where tickets often sell for multiples of their original price, as an indicator of underpricing.
Conclusion: Balancing Affordability and Revenue for Artists
The contrast between primary ticket pricing and secondary market dynamics continues to fuel the industry debate over fair pricing. Rapino and his colleagues suggest that fans’ propensity to pay premium resale prices signifies a willingness to pay more initially, which could benefit artists directly. Critics argue that this approach risks alienating everyday fans, transforming live music into an exclusive luxury experience.
As discussions on ticket affordability versus profitability continue, Rapino’s latest comments have rejuvenated a critical conversation in the music industry: how to ensure concert accessibility while preventing exorbitant resale markups—ultimately leaving the question of who decides a concert ticket’s true value.
Despite requests, Live Nation declined to comment further on this issue.
