Apple Music teams up with Ticketmaster to enhance concert discovery

Apple Music announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with Ticketmaster to enhance its concert discovery feature, making it easier for users to find live events based on their listening preferences.

Through this integration, Ticketmaster becomes the first ticketing service to connect directly with Apple Music. The collaboration allows users to discover nearby concerts and events that align with their musical tastes, and each event listing in the app now includes a direct link to Ticketmaster to purchase tickets.

With the latest update, Apple Music users can access concert information across several sections of the app. A homepage carousel will highlight nearby shows related to a user’s listening habits, while a dedicated Concerts Tab offers a space to browse upcoming events. Artist Pages will also feature concert listings and a badge indicating whether an artist is currently on tour.

In addition, users will receive push notifications when artists they follow or frequently listen to are performing nearby, helping fans stay informed about live events without having to search manually.

On the same day, Apple Music also announced a partnership with Bandsintown, further expanding the range of concert listings available within the platform.

Ticketmaster already plays a role across other parts of Apple’s ecosystem, including integrations with Maps, Spotlight Search, Photos, and Shazam. This latest move extends that relationship into Apple Music. For example, when users identify songs using Shazam, they can also discover upcoming concerts and purchase tickets. On iOS devices, searching for artists can display Ticketmaster event listings, while Apple Maps lets users explore future events at venues that sell Ticketmaster tickets.

With the introduction of iOS 26, Apple Photos will also enhance the concert experience by enabling users to revisit past live events through their photos and videos, and to link them to upcoming performances by the same artists.

This update represents Apple Music’s continued effort to strengthen its position in concert discovery. In 2023, the company introduced a feature that lets users explore and listen to setlists from artists currently on tour. It has also provided curated guides in Apple Music and Apple Maps,s highlighting popular live music venues in major cities.

The Ticketmaster integration arrives shortly after Spotify, one of Apple Music’s main competitors, partnered with SeatGeek to offer ticket links directly within its platform when users browse artist profiles or tour dates.

Ticketmaster has previously collaborated with other platforms, including SoundCloud and YouTube, to expand ticket distribution and event visibility.

Separately, the U.S. Justice Department announced earlier this month that it has tentatively reached a settlement with Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation, following an antitrust lawsuit. Since their merger in 2010, the two companies have held a dominant position in ticket sales and venue booking across the United States. However, the ticketing process has faced ongoing criticism, particularly over dynamic pricing practices that can lead to significantly higher costs for consumers.