NASCAR’s recent decision to collaborate with Ticketmaster as its official ticketing partner has sparked a heated debate among fans. This move sees NASCAR shifting from its previous ticketing platform, Tickets.com, to Ticketmaster, aligning it with Speedway Motorsports. Speedway Motorsports, which operates facilities for NASCAR, NHRA, World of Outlaws, and other racing events, has had a long-standing partnership with Ticketmaster. The platform handles the sales and distribution of tickets for venues, promoters, and individual clients.
However, Ticketmaster has faced significant controversy and legal challenges in recent years. The company has been accused of charging exorbitant fees on tickets sold and resold through its platform. Its parent company, Live Nation, is currently under fire, facing an antitrust lawsuit for allegedly maintaining a monopoly and violating consumer rights. Both Ticketmaster and Live Nation have come under scrutiny from regulators and consumers alike, adding further tension to NASCAR’s decision to partner with them.
The announcement about NASCAR’s new ticketing partner was shared by prominent motorsports journalists Bob Pockrass and Kelly Crandall on X (formerly known as Twitter). Pockrass wrote, “NASCAR has moved its ticketing from Tickets.com to Ticketmaster. That will put NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports on the same platforms.” Crandall provided further detail, stating, “Ticketmaster, who had had a partnership with Speedway Motorsports, is now the official ticketing partner of NASCAR. Per the release, ‘Fans will now be able to discover upcoming racing events on TikTok and Snapchat using Ticketmaster’s wide distribution network.’”
The announcement was met with backlash from fans, many of whom took to social media to express their frustration. One fan sarcastically commented, “Time to pay ridiculous fees lmao,” while another said, “There goes ticket prices through the roof.” The reaction was overwhelmingly negative, with several fans predicting that Ticketmaster’s notorious fees would make attending races unaffordable for many.
Other fans were quick to mock the idea of discovering NASCAR events through platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. One user sarcastically wrote, “I’ve never in my life been able to find where the next race is. Thankfully somebody who thinks they can dance will let me know. Best. News. Ever.” Another fan added, “Yaaaaaaay! More fees! Now no one will be able to afford tickets for the family. Say goodbye to my 8-track yearly schedule.”
Some fans also raised concerns about the personalized service they had grown accustomed to with Tickets.com. One user asked, “So I can no longer call my ticket rep @talladega and buy straight from the track?” Others worried about what additional hidden fees could surface with the new platform, with one user joking, “What the f**k maybe we will discover more fees on TikTok now.”
Ticketmaster’s legal troubles have only fueled fan skepticism. The company and its parent firm, Live Nation, are currently facing an antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2022. The lawsuit accuses the company of anti-competitive behavior, monopolizing the ticketing industry, and engaging in practices that harm both consumers and businesses. Ticketmaster’s mishandling of tickets for Taylor Swift’s 2022 Eras Tour, which resulted in massive delays and inflated fees, brought the company under additional scrutiny, igniting widespread outrage among fans and leading to a government investigation.
During a hearing in May 2024, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco criticized Ticketmaster and Live Nation, highlighting the importance of combatting corporate misconduct. She stated, “Our fight against corporate wrongdoing includes an intense focus on anti-competitive conduct—which disadvantages consumers, workers, and businesses of all kinds.” Monaco further added that Live Nation-Ticketmaster’s alleged monopolistic practices have hurt both fans and the live music industry, creating barriers for fair competition.
The DOJ’s lawsuit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster is aimed at curbing the company’s control over the ticketing market, making live events more accessible to consumers. Monaco emphasized the DOJ’s efforts to combat anti-competitive conduct, describing the lawsuit as a crucial step in ensuring that fans, artists, and venues are not unfairly impacted by a single dominant company.
Despite the ongoing legal issues surrounding Ticketmaster and Live Nation, NASCAR has chosen to move forward with the partnership, which will take effect in 2025. The organization hopes that by using Ticketmaster’s broad distribution network, it can enhance the fan experience and make it easier for fans to find and purchase tickets. However, many fans remain wary, concerned that this move will lead to higher ticket prices and additional fees.
As NASCAR continues its transition to Ticketmaster, the racing community will be watching closely to see how this new partnership affects the overall fan experience. While NASCAR aims to improve ticketing convenience and broaden its event promotion through social media platforms, the backlash from fans highlights the challenges the organization may face in managing the fallout from this controversial decision. Whether the benefits of this new partnership will outweigh the concerns remains to be seen.
