2026 Ticketing Star: Ben Baker

Ben Baker
Head Of TIcketing (Venues)
Venue Nation, Live Nation

As head of ticketing for Venue Nation, Ben Baker oversees box office operations for Live Nation-managed venues across the U.S. It’s a big undertaking, with more than 150 venues under the company’s purview, and Baker is often on the move to make sure things are moving smoothly.

“My focus is on ensuring our teams deliver best-in-class service to both artist teams and fans,” says Baker. “I am often on-site helping to improve efficiency and continuously refine our processes without compromising service.”

Baker got his start in sales for minor league baseball, where he did everything from pull tarp to pour beers to scan tickets and “just about everything else you can imagine” – even mascot appearances. “There may or may not be a grainy video somewhere of me as Tipper T Bull of the Visalia Rawhide sinking a jump shot,” he says.

Along with fun in the sun during baseball season, however, Baker learned the ticketing ropes and made valuable contacts, which is crucial for anyone in the business.

“During my time in sports, I had the opportunity to work closely with Phil Ashler and Jackie Thompson at Ticketmaster, where their hands-on training played a key role in my professional growth,” says Baker, who is based in Florida and grew up in Northern Indiana.
“I’m also deeply grateful to Danielle Higgins and Scott Bryant at Hertz Arena for giving me my first full-time box office opportunity and helping set the foundation for my career. What I love most about ticketing is the constant opportunity to learn and improve. Every event is different, and each one brings its own unique and rewarding problems to solve.”

Fast forward to today, and Baker is described as a driving force behind entertainment giant Live Nation’s ticketing operations, credited with elevating ticketing function at venues with increased efficiency and advancing the division’s National Ticketing Support Team, which bridges national operations to local venue box offices.

That stable of venues includes venerable amphitheaters like Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in New York, large clubs like the Tabernacle in Atlanta, MGM Music Hall in Boston, House of Blues and Fillmore branded spaces, ornate theaters like the Met Philadelphia and many others.

“I’m incredibly fortunate to work with an amazing team,” Baker says. “Our National Ticketing Support Team plays a vital role in connecting national operations with local box offices. As the team has expanded, they’ve been instrumental in supporting our operations and new venue openings, helping ensure consistency and smooth day-to-day execution across venues.”

The National Ticketing Support Team program includes a training program for box office managers to ensure consistent event setup and standardized experience for fans and artists across all venues. That will surely come in handy as Live Nation in 2025 announced a $1 billion investment into new venues opening in the next 18 months.

Baker also is credited with piloting fan engagement tools across the company’s many venues within its portfolio.

“Last year, we piloted both text-to-buy seat upgrades and just-walk-out lawn chair rentals, which improved venue operations and made it easier for fans to enjoy their night at a show,” he says.

“Looking ahead, we’ll continue advancing in-venue experiences such as food & beverage mobile orders, VIP club access and more.”
Baker says the future is bright and, like many in the ticketing business, seems eager to continue to learn and innovate.

“The biggest priority for me comes down to reducing friction for fans and artists without sacrificing service. That means embracing new technology, finding ways to improve the overall experience,” he says.

“2026 is shaping up to be a great year,” Baker adds. “Fans will continue to crave live experiences, and it’s on us to be ready to deliver the best experience possible. AI will continue to play a larger role in the ticketing space. The ability to deliver more personalized offers can enhance the fan experience while creating new revenue opportunities.”

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