Purchasing tickets for concerts and events has become increasingly difficult due to the prevalence of automated ticket-buying bots, which can quickly purchase tickets and resell them at inflated prices. This has led to frustration among fans, with a December 2025 survey indicating that 65% of respondents believe ticket scalping prevents true fans from attending events.
In response, countries like South Korea and China have implemented stricter regulations against these bots, with South Korea expanding its anti-scalping laws and Chinese regulators meeting with major companies to address public concerns over ticket sales.
However, experts like Marc Hershberg from Music Theatre International argue that ticket scalping is a natural result of supply and demand, suggesting that banning bots may not be sufficient. Companies like Ticketmaster are actively working to combat these bots by blocking automated software and canceling fraudulent orders.
The broader issue of limited ticket availability exacerbates the problem, as seen in the backlash against Live Nation and Ticketmaster following the mishandling of ticket sales for Taylor Swift's 'Eras' tour. The company faced lawsuits over deceptive pricing practices and reached a $9.9 million settlement with the District of Columbia.
Despite the high demand for tickets, producers are hesitant to raise prices to meet market demand, which often results in scalpers profiting from the situation rather than the artists or producers. The complexity of the issue suggests that a multifaceted approach, including regulation and improved business practices, is necessary to address the challenges posed by ticket bots and scalping