A federal law that would mandate clear all-in ticket pricing and ban speculative ticketing in the US is a step closer after the TICKET Act was passed in the House of Representatives.
Representatives passed the bipartisan bill on Wednesday by a vote of 388-24, with the legislation now moving to the Senate. The House vote follows the unanimous vote for the TICKET Act in the full Energy & Commerce Committee in December 2023.
The Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act would require simple, clear all-in pricing, ban speculative ticketing and ban deceptive websites and deceptive website marketing. It also seeks to provide fans a full refund to a cancelled event or, if the event is postponed, a comparable replacement ticket, at the approval of the fan. Finally, the TICKET Act requires a report from the Federal Trade Commission on BOTS Act Enforcement.
The legislation’s progress was welcomed by bill sponsors Gus Bilirakis and Jan Schakowsky, as well as House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
“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,” supporters said. “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.”
Supporters hail TICKET Act progress
The vote was welcomed by groups backing the legislation, including the Ticket Buyer Bill of Rights Coalition and other consumer groups.
“Today marks the furthest federal live event ticketing reform has gone in nearly a decade,” the Ticket Buyer Bill of Rights Coalition said.
“We applaud them for their leadership and their willingness to engage all stakeholders, especially consumer protection organisations, in seeking a truly comprehensive reform package which has consensus by virtually every stakeholder in the debate. We urge the Senate to send the TICKET Act to President Biden’s desk as expeditiously as possible.”
Live Nation’s all-in ticket benefit
Earlier this week, Live Nation reiterated its support for the TICKET Act as it announced that its all-in ticket pricing policy has initiated an increase in completed sales during its first six months.
Live Nation has advocated for a nationwide all-in pricing mandate, and actively supported the passage of all-in pricing laws in state legislatures across the country. However, it added that many resale platforms are still not compliant with these state-led transparency standards.
“The company advises consumers to be on the lookout for illegal drip pricing on other ticketing platforms and to report such cases to their state Attorney General’s office,” the company added. “Live Nation also supports other ticketing reforms that benefit consumers including banning speculative ticketing, allowing artists to cap resale markups, enhancing legislation against buying tickets with bots, and more.”
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