Madonna makes ticket sales history

Pop superstar Madonna has made history by officially endorsing the secondary ticket market - she's agreed a deal with a separate promoter from Live Nation to sell VIP packages and premium seats for her upcoming world tour.

The singer recently signed a $100m (€65m) contract with Los Angeles-based promotions company Live Nation, which will see the firm continue to handle her tours and eventually take over her album distribution too.

The move was a first for the music industry, and now Madonna has followed that up by agreeing a deal with ticket reseller Viagogo, according to Gigwise.com.

The company will, on her behalf, control the sale of ticket packages for the European leg of her 'Sticky & Sweet' tour - the first time an artist has explored such a partnership.

Ticket packages, which often including travel, accommodation and/or VIP seats, are more commonly issued through outside companies with no connection to the artist or band in question.