The TICKET Act Promises Needed Transparency on Event Ticket Prices and Availability

July 12, 2023

For Immediate Release:

The TICKET Act Promises Needed Transparency on Event Ticket Prices and Availability

Formally titled the Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act (S. 1303), the TICKET Act would require event ticket sellers to “clearly and conspicuously” show consumers at the beginning of ticket buying transactions, the total price for event tickets with an itemized list of any and all added fees. The bill would also mandate that sellers disclose the total price, including tack-on charges such as “service charges” and “processing fees,” for event tickets in their advertising and price lists. In addition, the bill requires that ticket sellers, including those in the secondary market, that do not actually possess the tickets they’re selling or offering for sale (referred to as speculative ticketing), to “clearly and conspicuously” inform the ticket buyers of that fact upfront. Finally, the bill grants the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce its provisions against violators.

Statement of Christine Hines, legislative director, National Association of Consumer Advocates

The TICKET Act, introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), will help ensure that consumers are provided with more upfront and accurate information about ticket prices and availability, and rightly aims to deter violations with federal enforcement. The ticket buying market is plagued with issues, including deceptive fees and charges, situations where consumers are misled with wrong information about event ticket availability, lack of consumer rights with ticket transferability, lack of accountability for ticket sellers’ wrongful actions, and absence of appropriate remedies for harmed ticket buyers. However, we support the TICKET Act’s effort to bring more transparency to some of the hidden aspects of ticket sales that affect concertgoers and other event ticket buyers.

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