The live event ticketing industry has long been under fire for hidden fees, speculative ticket sales, and a general lack of transparency—issues that continue to frustrate fans and erode trust. In an effort to address these concerns, the TICKET Act (Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act) is now gaining real momentum in Washington.
On April 9, 2025, the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee unanimously approved the bill, sending it to the full House for consideration. The proposed legislation mandates all-in pricing—requiring ticket sellers to display the full cost of a ticket, including fees, upfront—and aims to ban speculative ticketing practices.
Industry player Live Nation has expressed strong support, calling it a long-overdue step toward improving transparency for fans and artists. However, independent venues, promoters, and artist advocacy groups argue the bill doesn’t go far enough. They’re urging Congress to close what they see as significant loopholes, strengthen enforcement, and better protect consumers from the unchecked secondary market.
As the TICKET Act advances, the industry remains divided. Could this be the reform that reshapes ticketing—or a missed opportunity?
In this article, we break down what the bill actually proposes and how platforms should prepare for potential changes in compliance, user experience, and resale policy.
Introduction to the TICKET Act
The TICKET Act is proposed legislation aimed at increasing transparency in ticket pricing for live events. Its key provisions include:
- All-in Pricing: Ticket sellers must display the total price, including all fees, upfront.
- Fee Disclosure: A detailed breakdown of the base ticket price and all additional fees is required.
- Speculative Ticket Sales: The sale of tickets not yet in the seller's possession is prohibited.
- Bot Prevention: Measures against using automated software to bulk-purchase tickets are strengthened.
- Refund Policy: Clear disclosure of refund policies is mandated.
- Transferability: Tickets must be freely transferable or resold by purchasers.
The Primary Objectives of the TICKET Act
Goals of the TICKET Act: A Clearer, Fairer Ticketing Experience
The TICKET Act is designed to address widespread consumer frustration with hidden fees, speculative ticketing, and lack of clarity around pricing and refund policies. Its core objectives are to:
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Increase transparency in ticket pricing by requiring all-in pricing (including fees) to be shown upfront
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Protect consumers from deceptive practices like speculative ticket listings and unclear refund terms
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Promote fair competition among ticketing platforms by mandating uniform disclosure standards
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Improve the overall ticket-buying experience, allowing free transfer and resale of tickets and strengthening anti-bot protections
1. Increasing Transparency in Ticket Pricing
At the heart of the TICKET Act is the push for greater transparency in ticket pricing. The act mandates that ticket sellers display the total cost, including all fees, upfront. This "all-in pricing" approach eliminates the common frustration of unexpected price jumps at checkout.
Additionally, sellers must provide a clear breakdown of the base ticket price and all additional fees. This transparency allows consumers to make more informed decisions, easily comparing actual costs across different platforms or events.
The implications of this change could be significant, potentially shifting consumer behavior and forcing ticketing platforms to compete more directly on price and value.
2. Protecting Consumers from Hidden Fees and Misleading Practices
The TICKET Act goes beyond just price transparency to actively protect consumers from deceptive practices. It bans speculative ticketing, where sellers list tickets they don't actually possess, reducing the risk of consumers purchasing non-existent tickets.
The act also requires explicit disclosure of refund policies, providing consumers with clarity and protection in case of event cancellations or other issues. These measures could significantly reduce instances of fraud and provide consumers with more confidence in their purchases, potentially leading to increased trust in the ticketing industry as a whole.
3. Promoting Fair Competition in the Ticketing Industry
By creating a more level playing field, the TICKET Act aims to foster fair competition among ticketing platforms. The requirement for all sellers to display total prices upfront means competition will be based on actual prices rather than misleading advertising.
The act also strengthens measures against automated ticket-buying software, helping to ensure more tickets are available to genuine fans rather than scalpers. These changes could give smaller ticketing platforms a better chance to compete with larger companies on the basis of actual pricing and service quality, potentially leading to more innovation and better services for consumers.
4. Improving the Overall Ticket-Buying Experience
Ultimately, the TICKET Act seeks to make buying tickets a less stressful and more enjoyable experience. It ensures tickets can be freely transferred or resold by purchasers, giving consumers more flexibility.
The simplified comparison process, thanks to all-in pricing, makes it easier for consumers to make choices across different events or platforms.
By eliminating hidden fees and misleading practices, the act aims to reduce the anxiety often associated with ticket purchases. These improvements could lead to increased consumer satisfaction and potentially higher attendance at live events.
Legislative Status of the TICKET Act (Updated May 2025)
Originally introduced in 2023, the TICKET Act gained early bipartisan support but stalled in Congress—until renewed momentum in 2025 reflected growing public and industry pressure to improve transparency and accountability in the ticketing ecosystem.
On April 9, 2025, the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee unanimously approved the act, sending it to the full House. Then on April 30, 2025, the House of Representatives officially passed the TICKET Act in a 409–15 vote, signaling strong bipartisan backing for ticketing reform.
The legislation targets several long-standing consumer frustrations: banning hidden fees, requiring clear distinction between tickets and ticket procurement services, cracking down on deceptive URLs, speculative ticketing, and illegal bot use, and establishing refund requirements.
While many organizations—including the Sports Fans Coalition—praised the bill’s advancement, groups like NITO and NIVA expressed concern that loopholes (such as carve-outs for “concierge services”) still leave room for speculative sales and lack strong enforcement mechanisms.
The bill now moves to the Senate, alongside the Fans First Act, a companion proposal. Together, these efforts reflect the most serious legislative movement in years toward protecting fans and restoring trust in the U.S. ticketing market.
The TICKET Act is expected to have far-reaching effects on both the primary and secondary ticketing markets:
Primary Market Effects
- Transparency in Pricing: The all-in pricing requirement will force ticket sellers to be upfront about the total cost, including fees.
- Changes in Advertising Practices: Sellers will need to adjust their marketing strategies to comply with the new transparency requirements.
Secondary Market Implications
- Restrictions on Speculative Ticket Sales: The prohibition on selling tickets not yet in possession will significantly impact the secondary market.
- Effects on Resellers: Resellers will need to adapt their practices to comply with the new regulations.
Consumer Benefits
- All-in Pricing Visibility: Consumers will be able to see the total cost upfront, enabling more informed purchasing decisions.
- Protection Against Fraudulent Practices: The ban on deceptive websites and speculative ticketing will help protect consumers from fraud.
Industry Response and Support
The TICKET Act has received strong support from some of the largest players in the ticketing industry.
Live Nation Entertainment, which owns Ticketmaster and controls an estimated 70% of the U.S. primary ticketing market, has publicly backed the bill and already implemented all-in pricing on its platforms.
StubHub, a major secondary ticketing marketplace, has also expressed support for pricing transparency and reform.
However, many independent voices in the live events ecosystem remain unconvinced—or outright opposed to the bill in its current form.
“The TICKET Act still does not have the support of the people that actually put on the shows,” stated the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA). “On a bipartisan basis, the states and the White House have acknowledged an unchecked resale market is the problem. It’s alarming Congress continues to fall further behind. The TICKET Act should not become law until Congress closes loopholes, makes the bill enforceable, and strengthens the BOTS Act.”
NIVA’s concerns center on the bill’s failure to rein in speculative reselling and deceptive resale sites, which they argue continue to exploit fans while avoiding oversight.
Similarly, the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) expressed mixed feelings about the bill’s progress:
“The Ticket Act will be an improvement on the status quo and we appreciate Congress’s dedication to this issue,” said Nathaniel Marro of NITO. “However, we were disappointed that artist and creator voices weren’t more present and represented in the process. More could have been done to protect consumers and fans against predatory resellers and create a safer ticket buying process for everyone.”
Despite the support from dominant industry players, smaller venues, artist advocates, and independent promoters continue to push for stronger protections, broader enforcement mechanisms, and a more inclusive legislative process.
Global Context: OPEN Ticketing/GET Protocol
While not directly related to the TICKET Act, it's worth noting similar initiatives globally, such as the OPEN Ticketing/GET Protocol in Europe. This initiative aims to achieve similar goals of transparency and fairness through blockchain technology, presenting an alternative approach to the legislative route taken by the TICKET Act.
While the TICKET Act represents a legislative approach to ticketing reform in the U.S., other parts of the world are exploring technological solutions to similar problems.
The OPEN Ticketing/GET Protocol in Europe is one such initiative. This blockchain-based ticketing system aims to:
- Ensure ticket authenticity and eliminate fraud
- Control the secondary market and cap resale prices
- Provide complete transparency in ticket distribution and pricing
As of 2023, the GET Protocol has been used for over 1.5 million tickets across various events in Europe. Notable adopters include GUTS Tickets in the Netherlands and WICKET in South Korea.
Other global initiatives include the UK's ban on ticket bots and making it illegal to use automated software to bulk-buy tickets. In addition, Australia's recent push for ticket resale price caps continues, and it succeeded by limiting resale prices to 110% of the original price.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite its potential benefits, the TICKET Act may still need to overcome implementation hurdles. The industry will likely need time to adapt its systems and practices to comply with the new requirements. There may also be concerns about the potential impact on ticket prices and the secondary market.
Looking ahead, the TICKET Act could lead to significant changes in consumer behavior and industry practices. Armed with clearer pricing information, consumers may become more discerning in their ticket purchases. The industry may need to innovate to remain competitive under the new regulations.
Despite its potential benefits, the TICKET Act faces several implementation challenges:
- Technical Hurdles: Many ticketing systems will need significant upgrades to comply with all-in pricing and enhanced transparency requirements. A 2022 survey by Pollstar found that 63% of venues were concerned about the costs of updating their ticketing technology.
- Secondary Market Impact: The act's restrictions on speculative ticket sales could significantly affect the secondary market. According to a 2019 U.S. Government Accountability Office report, the secondary ticketing market was valued at $8 billion annually.
- Enforcement Concerns: Ensuring compliance across the diverse ticketing landscape will be challenging. The Federal Trade Commission, likely responsible for enforcement, will need adequate resources to monitor and penalize violations effectively.
- Potential for Unintended Consequences: There are concerns that all-in pricing could lead to higher base ticket prices as sellers adjust their strategies. A 2020 study in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization found that all-in pricing in other industries sometimes led to price increases as competition focused on total price rather than base price.
Looking ahead, the TICKET Act could lead to significant changes in consumer behavior and industry practices:
- Increased Price Sensitivity: With clearer pricing information, consumers may become more discerning in their ticket purchases. A 2021 consumer survey by Deloitte found that 73% of respondents would be more likely to compare prices across different ticketing platforms if all-in pricing was mandatory.
- Industry Innovation: To remain competitive under the new regulations, ticketing companies may need to innovate. This could lead to improved user experiences, new pricing models, or enhanced value-added services.
- Shift in Marketing Strategies: With the focus on all-in pricing, marketing strategies in the ticketing industry may shift from emphasizing low base prices to highlighting overall value or unique experiences.
- Data-Driven Pricing: The increased transparency may lead to more sophisticated, data-driven pricing strategies. According to a 2022 report by PwC, 68% of entertainment companies were planning to increase their investments in data analytics for pricing optimization.
- Consumer Trust: If successful, the TICKET Act could help rebuild consumer trust in the ticketing industry. A 2023 YouGov survey found that only 23% of U.S. adults trusted ticketing companies to treat customers fairly.
As the TICKET Act progresses through the legislative process, its potential to reshape the ticketing landscape remains significant. While challenges exist, the act represents a crucial step towards a more transparent and fair ticketing ecosystem, with implications that could extend far beyond the U.S. market.
Final Word
The TICKET Act represents a significant effort to reform the ticketing industry in favor of consumer protection and transparency. While its ultimate impact will depend on its final form after Senate consideration and how it is implemented if it becomes law, it marks a crucial step towards fairer ticketing practices.
As the act progresses through the legislative process, it holds the potential to reshape the ticketing landscape, providing consumers with clearer information and stronger protections. Thanks to initiatives like the TICKET Act, the future of ticketing may well be one of greater transparency and fairness.
Updates in the Ticketing Industry
DOJ and FTC Launch Public Inquiry into Anticompetitive Practices in Live Entertainment
Under President Trump’s Executive Order 14254, the Department of Justice and FTC have opened a public inquiry into unfair and anticompetitive practices in the live concert and entertainment industry. The agencies are seeking public input on issues like ticket scalping, bots, and monopolistic behavior, with the goal of informing new regulations or legislation.
The move comes amid broader scrutiny of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, and the administration claims it is a wider effort to restore fairness, transparency, and competition for fans, artists, and small businesses. Public comments are open through July 7, 2025.
[Source: US Department of Justice, May 2025]
Ticketmaster Launches Nationwide All-In Pricing Following FTC 'Junk Fees' Rule
Ticketmaster has rolled out all-in pricing across the U.S., displaying full ticket prices with fees upfront before taxes. The move aligns with the FTC’s new Junk Fees Rule, aimed at improving transparency in event ticketing and other industries.
Previously implemented in 33 states, this national expansion follows growing regulatory pressure and recent directives from President Trump’s Executive Order targeting pricing abuse and secondary market manipulation. Ticketmaster also announced new features like real-time sales updates and virtual queue positioning to further improve the fan experience.
[Source: Ticketmaster, May 2025]
