"Time to pay ridiculous fees" - Fans react to NASCAR's ticketing shift to a new platform

NASCAR is one of the most popular motorsport events in the US, with a strong and loyal fanbase. However, the sanctioning body's switch to Ticketmaster as its official ticketing partners from 2025 onwards has upset a lot of fans.

Ticketmaster has been a longtime partner of Speedway Motorsports (an auto racing facilities management company for NASCAR, NHRA, World of Outlaws and other popular racing series in the country). The former manages the sales and distribution of tickets for venues, individual clients, and large promoters.

However, the company has been subject to lawsuits and controversies in the past few years. Ticketmaster received scrutiny from regulators and customers alike for charging huge fees on tickets purchased and resold on its platform. Its parent firm, Live Nation, is facing an antitrust suit for monopoly and consumer rights violations.

The news of NASCAR's collaboration with Ticketmaster was shared by senior journalists Bob Pockrass and Kelly Crandall on X (formerly Twitter).

"NASCAR has moved its ticketing from Tickets.com to Ticketmaster. That will put NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports on the same platforms," Pockrass wrote.

"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," Crandall wrote.

Fans responded angrily to this news on X. One fan wrote:

"Time to pay ridiculous fees lmao"

"There goes ticket prices through the roof," another fan wrote.

Here are a few more reactions from fans online:

"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," a fan commented sarcastically.

"Yaaaaaaay! More fees! Now no one will be able to afford tickets for the family. Say goodbye to my 8 track yearly schedule," another fan wrote.

"So I can no longer call my ticket rep @talladega and buy straight from the track?" a fan asked.

"What the f**k😂😂😂😂 maybe we will discover more fees on tiktok now," a fan opined.

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"Our fight against corporate wrongdoing includes an intense focus on anticompetitive conduct" - Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco criticized NASCAR's upcoming ticketing partner in a DOJ lawsuit

Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation are facing a lawsuit from the Department of Justice for violation of consumer rights and antitrust law. The investigation was launched in 2022.

The California-based company was criticized for its mishandling of tickets for pop star Taylor Swift's 2022 Eras Tour. The company had a monopoly on the sales of tickets and was accused of charging hefty service fees to both venues and ticket buyers.

This led to a lawsuit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster. During a hearing in May 2024, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco was quoted as saying (via the DOJ official website):

“Today’s announcement reflects the latest efforts by the Justice Department to combat corporate misconduct. Our fight against corporate wrongdoing includes an intense focus on anticompetitive conduct — which disadvantages consumers, workers, and businesses of all kinds."

"Today’s complaint alleges that Live Nation-Ticketmaster have engaged in anticompetitive conduct to cement their dominance of the live concert market and act as the gatekeeper for an entire industry. Today’s action is a step forward in making this era of live music more accessible for the fans, the artists, and the industry that supports them,” she added.

NASCAR has announced Ticketmaster as its official ticketing partner from 2025 onwards.