Concert Ticketing Talks Set to See Fans Rewarded for their Loyalty

Live Nation is in discussions with major streaming platforms – Spotify, Apple, and Amazon – to offer presale concert ticket access to subscribers of upcoming super-premium tiers.

This initiative aims to provide added value to music superfans willing to pay for enhanced services.

Michael Rapino, President and CEO of Live Nation, confirmed these talks during the company’s recent earnings call. He noted that while Live Nation is exploring potential collaborations, any allocation of ticket inventory to these platforms would come at a cost. “We’ve been working with all three of them… trying to find a model that may work for us and them,” Rapino stated.

The talks coincide with reports that Spotify is planning to launch a “Super Pro” tier, expected to be priced at an additional $5.99 per month on top of the existing Premium fee, bringing the total cost to approximately $18 per month. This upgraded subscription tier is rumored to include perks such as high-fidelity audio streaming, AI-powered music remix features, and early access to concert tickets.

Streaming platforms have been exploring new ways to generate revenue beyond traditional subscriptions, and offering exclusive ticket access is seen as a strategy to retain and engage high-value users. While Live Nation has long partnered with brands like Verizon and Citibank for presale ticket programs, integrating such offerings into streaming services could create a new level of exclusivity for music superfans.

Rapino emphasised the value of presale programmes, highlighting existing partnerships with companies like Verizon and Citibank. He pointed out that while streaming services are interested in offering ticket access to enhance their premium tiers, scaling such offerings – especially for high-demand artists like Beyoncé—presents challenges. “Everybody wants Beyoncé presale, and that’s hard to scale,” he remarked.

In 2024, Live Nation reported a 3% year-over-year increase in revenue at constant currency, totaling $23.1 billion. Concert attendance also rose by 4%, with 151 million fans attending over 50,000 Live Nation events. Rapino described 2024 as “live music’s biggest year yet” and anticipates even greater success in 2025, supported by a robust lineup of global concerts.

While no deals have yet been finalised, the outcome of these discussions could shape how superfans access live music in the future.