TICKET Act Mandates Upfront All-Inclusive Pricing, Bans Selling Tickets Sellers Don't Possess

Nobody likes getting hit with surprise fees right at the checkout, especially when you're just trying to snag tickets for a show or game. The TICKET Act aims to tackle that frustration head-on by changing some key rules for how event tickets are sold.

No More Sticker Shock: What's the Real Price?

The biggest change you'll likely notice comes from Section 2: starting 180 days after this bill becomes law, anyone selling tickets – whether it's the venue itself or a reseller – has to show the total price upfront. That means the price you see in an ad or when you first click on a ticket listing must include the base price plus all mandatory fees (like service fees, facility charges, etc.). No more clicking through several screens only to find the cost has jumped significantly. Before you finalize the purchase, they also have to give you a clear breakdown showing the original ticket price and each specific fee being added. Think of it like seeing the full cost of your meal on the menu, including tax and service charges, before you even order.

Got Tickets? Prove It.

Section 3 targets what's known as 'speculative ticketing'. This is when sellers list tickets they don't actually have yet, essentially gambling that they'll be able to get them later (often at a lower price) to fulfill your order. The TICKET Act bans this practice 180 days after enactment. Sellers must actually possess or have the right to a ticket before they can sell or even advertise it. There's a small carve-out: secondary market platforms can offer a service to help you find a ticket, but they have to be super clear that it's not a ticket sale, doesn't guarantee a ticket, and this service listing must be separate from actual ticket listings. This aims to stop you from paying for a ticket that might not even exist.

Know Who You're Buying From (and What Happens if Things Go South)

The Act adds more transparency for buyers. Section 4 requires anyone reselling a ticket (secondary sellers) to clearly state that they are a reseller before you buy. They're also barred from using website names or language that falsely implies they're officially affiliated with the venue, artist, or team unless they actually have permission.

What if the event gets canceled or significantly postponed? Section 5 lays out clear refund rules, also effective 180 days post-enactment. If an event is canceled, you're entitled to a full refund of the total price you paid. If it's postponed, the rules depend on the length of the delay and ticket validity, but options must include either a comparable replacement ticket or a full refund if the delay exceeds six months. Sellers also have to clearly spell out their specific refund policies before you complete your purchase.

Dusting Off the Rulebook

Finally, the bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report back to Congress on how well the existing BOTS Act of 2016 (aimed at stopping automated software from scooping up tickets) is being enforced (Section 6). Violations of this new TICKET Act itself will be treated as unfair or deceptive practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act, giving the FTC the power to enforce these new rules (Section 7).