Ticketing regulation and legislation is currently in unprecedented focus in the wake of widespread consumer outcry related to Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster. The current administration has encouraged the passage of a law that would regulate ticket fees and require transparency on ticket holdbacks and availability. The Federal Trade Commission is considering rulemaking on “junk fees” and the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing in January examining competition issues related to Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s share of the market.
With that in mind, current legislation is actually a patchwork of laws at the state level across the country. Some states offer strong consumer protections for their rights as ticket buyers, and others do not. Many states are considering laws in 2024 due to the attention on the industry – some good and some bad.
With this page, TicketNews hopes to keep its readers up to date on where the ticketing industry stands – what issues do consumers face, what laws are in place now, and what laws are being proposed and debated at both the federal and statewide level.
This page will be updated frequently, but please contact us with any suggested content and improvements by emailing us – [email protected]
Primary Consumer Issues in Ticketing
Each link opens a new window with specifics on each subject area
Mobile-Only/Non-Transferrable Tickets
“BOTS” and Their Role in Consumer Experience
“Dynamic” Ticket Surge Pricing
Primary and Secondary Tickets Sharing Real Estate
Exclusive Contracts Between Venues and Ticketing Companies
Ticket Holdbacks/Display of Available Tickets
“Speculative” Advanced Ticket Listings
States With Current Consumer-Friendly Ticketing Legislation
Colorado (PDF opens in new window)
Connecticut (PDF opens in new window)
Illinois
New York
Utah
Virginia (PDF opens in new window)
Ticketing Legislation Being Considered
This section is always to be considered under construction as many bills are being introduced throughout the year.
Federal:
BOSS Act
Junk Fee Prevention Act
Fans First Act
Consumer Ticketing Advocacy Groups and Campaigns
Break Up Ticketmaster
Coalition for Ticket Fairness
Sports Fans Coalition
Protect Ticket Rights
National Consumers League
American Antitrust Institute
American Economic Liberties Project
NetChoice