Plain Language Summary
# TICKET Act Summary **What It Does:** The TICKET Act requires ticket sellers—both primary sellers and resale platforms—to show consumers the total price upfront when displaying tickets for concerts, sports events, and similar activities. Before purchase, sellers must provide an itemized breakdown showing the base ticket price separately from all fees (service fees, processing fees, etc.). The total price must also appear in any advertisements or price lists. The bill also prohibits sellers from selling tickets they don't actually possess, though secondary market platforms can still sell services to help people obtain tickets. **Who It Affects:** This bill impacts ticket sellers (like Ticketmaster), resale platforms (like StubHub), consumers buying event tickets, and event venues.
It aims to protect buyers from hidden fees and surprise charges at checkout—a common complaint in the ticket industry. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. If passed there and signed by the President, it would become law.
CRS Official Summary
Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act or the TICKET ActThis bill requires ticket sellers (including sellers on the secondary market) for concerts, performances, sporting events, and similar activities to clearly and prominently disclose the total ticket price for the event at the time the ticket is first displayed to an individual (and anytime thereafter during the purchasing process). Prior to completing a purchase, ticket sellers also must provide an itemized list of the base ticket price and each fee (e.g., service fee, processing fee, or other charge). The total ticket price must also be disclosed in any advertisement, marketing, or price list.Additionally, a ticket seller, secondary market seller, or ticket exchange that does not have actual or constructive possession of an event ticket is prohibited from selling or advertising a ticket for the event. However, a secondary market seller or exchange may sell or advertise a service to obtain an event ticket for an individual if the seller or exchange (1) does not market the service as an event ticket, (2) maintains a clear separation between the provided service and the event tickets throughout the entire purchasing process, and (3) clearly discloses that the service is not an event ticket.The bill establishes additional disclosure requirements for ticket sellers, secondary market sellers, and ticket exchanges, and requires such entities to issue a refund for the total ticket price if an event is canceled or postponed.The Federal Trade Commission must enforce these requirements.
Latest Action
Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 163.