Ariana Grande Takes Aim at Ticket Resellers: "It's Not Right"
The music industry is abuzz with controversy as Ariana Grande's 2026 Eternal Sunshine Tour tickets sold out in a flash, leaving fans frustrated and ticket resellers cashing in on inflated prices. According to data from Ticketmaster, the North American tour dates went on sale earlier this week, with face value tickets quickly disappearing into thin air.
But it's not just the fans who are feeling the pinch – ticket resellers are making a killing, with some seats selling for up to 5 times their original price on platforms like StubHub and SeatGeek. The average resale price for a ticket is currently around $250, compared to the face value of $50.
Grande, known for her devoted fan base, has taken to Instagram to address the situation, calling out ticket resellers and expressing her disappointment. "I have been on set all week but I wanted to let you know that what's been happening with the secondary ticket resellers has been brought to my attention and of course I am incredibly bothered by it," she wrote in a statement.
The singer's comments come as no surprise, given the growing concern over ticket reselling practices in the music industry. In recent years, fans have been vocal about the issue, with many feeling that they're being priced out of concerts due to inflated resale prices.
But what does this mean for the music industry as a whole? According to a report by Pollstar, the secondary ticketing market is expected to reach $10 billion in revenue by 2025, up from $6.4 billion in 2020. This growth has been driven in part by the rise of online resale platforms and social media, which have made it easier for fans to buy and sell tickets.
Industry experts say that Grande's comments are a wake-up call for ticket resellers and platform owners alike. "This is a classic case of supply and demand," says industry analyst, Michael Cohl. "But what's missing here is transparency and accountability. Fans deserve to know where their money is going and who's profiting from these inflated prices."
Grande's team has not commented on whether they will take any further action to address the issue, but fans are already calling for change. On social media, JusticeForArianaGrande is trending, with many expressing support for the singer's stance.
As the music industry continues to grapple with the complexities of ticket reselling, one thing is clear: Grande's comments have sparked a much-needed conversation about fairness and transparency in the market.
By the Numbers:
Average resale price for Ariana Grande tickets: $250
Face value of tickets: $50
Secondary ticketing market revenue (2025 estimate): $10 billion
Growth rate of secondary ticketing market: 56% (2020-2025)
What's Next?
As the music industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how ticket resellers and platform owners respond to Grande's comments. Will we see a shift towards more transparent pricing practices or increased regulation on resale platforms?
One thing is certain: fans are demanding change, and it's up to the industry to deliver.
*Financial data compiled from Billboard reporting.*
