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A bipartisan group of lawmakers have approved legislation requiring event ticket sellers to disclose the total cost of tickets upfront, including hidden fees.
The House passed the Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act on Wednesday with overwhelming support, 388-24. The bill aims to increase price transparency for consumers by requiring sellers to list the total cost of a ticket, including fees, and disclose whether the tickets are speculative. It also prohibits deceptive websites and mandates refunds if an event is canceled. The bill is now moving to the Senate, where it will likely pass.
In a joint statement, top Republicans and Democrats from the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee said, “This consensus legislation will end deceptive ticketing practices that frustrate consumers who simply want to enjoy a concert, show, or sporting event by restoring fairness and transparency to the ticket marketplace. After years of bipartisan work, we will now be able to enhance the customer experience of buying event tickets online. We look forward to continuing to work together to urge quick Senate passage so that we can send it to the president’s desk to be signed into law.”
Stephen Parker, executive director of the National Independent Venue Association, praised the bill and highlighted similar state laws passed in Maryland and Minnesota, urging Congress to adopt comprehensive ticketing reform like the Fans First Act. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. emphasized the importance of the TICKET Act at the Grammys on the Hill event, urging the Senate to act quickly to protect artists and fans. Live Nation also supported the bill, advocating for a national law to ensure transparency and other ticketing reforms, including enhancing anti-bot legislation and banning speculative ticketing.
The bill is part of broader efforts to address consumer discontent in the ticketing industry, spurred by incidents like Ticketmaster’s issues with Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which led to a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
