TICKET Act
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Would require all ticket sellers — including resellers and secondary-market exchanges — to show the full, all-in price of an event ticket the moment a ticket is first displayed, and to itemize every fee before checkout. The bill also bans selling tickets a seller does not yet possess and requires full refunds for canceled events.
Ticket buyers routinely encounter 'drip pricing,' where fees appear only at the final checkout step, inflating costs well above the advertised price. This bill would make total-price transparency mandatory and give the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce it.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would require ticket issuers, secondary-market resellers, and ticket exchanges to display the total all-in ticket price whenever a price is shown — in advertisements, listings, and at every step of the purchasing process. Before a purchase is completed, sellers would also have to provide an itemized breakdown of the base price and every fee (service fees, processing fees, delivery charges, etc.). The bill would ban "speculative ticketing," meaning sellers could not offer tickets they do not actually possess, though resellers could sell a service to obtain a ticket on behalf of a buyer as long as that service is clearly distinguished from an actual ticket. Sellers would be required to disclose their refund and guarantee policies before checkout, and to issue full refunds when events are canceled or postponed by more than six months.
The bill would not apply to optional add-ons a buyer does not need to attend the event (such as merchandise bundles). It covers only events open to the general public at venues with capacity above 200 people that are promoted or ticketed in interstate commerce. The Federal Trade Commission would treat violations as unfair or deceptive trade practices and enforce compliance. The FTC would also be required to report to Congress within six months on its enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016.
Key provisions
- 1Would require ticket sellers to display the total all-in ticket price in all advertisements, listings, and at every stage of the purchasing process from first display onward.
- 2Would require sellers to provide an itemized list of the base ticket price and every fee before a purchase is completed.
- 3Would ban selling or advertising event tickets a seller does not actually possess; allows resellers to sell a ticket-procurement service only if clearly labeled as not an event ticket.
- 4Would prohibit sellers from falsely claiming affiliation with or endorsement by a venue, team, or artist, or using venue names in their web domain without authorization.
- 5Would require full refunds for canceled events and either replacement tickets or a refund option for postponements; refund policies must be disclosed before purchase.
- 6Would require the FTC to report to Congress within six months on enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016, including challenges and improvement recommendations.
- 7Would treat violations of the Act as unfair or deceptive trade practices enforceable by the FTC under the FTC Act, with the same penalties and powers.
Who would be affected
Consumers who buy tickets to concerts, sporting events, theatrical performances, and similar live events. Ticket issuers (primary sellers), secondary-market resellers, and ticket exchange platforms that sell or advertise event tickets in interstate commerce for venues with capacity over 200 people. The Federal Trade Commission, which would gain new enforcement responsibilities.
Why it matters
Ticket buyers who have faced surprise fees added only at checkout would see the full price upfront, making it easier to compare options and avoid inflated last-minute costs. The speculative-ticketing ban would reduce the risk of purchasing a ticket the reseller does not actually hold. Mandatory refunds for cancellations would give buyers a clearer legal remedy than current industry practice typically provides.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-274; 15 U.S.C. 45c) (Sec. 6)
Incorporates its definitions of 'event ticket' and 'ticket issuer' by reference; requires FTC to report to Congress on its enforcement of the Act.
Amends Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) (Sec. 7)
Classifies violations of this Act as unfair or deceptive trade practices under Section 18(a)(1)(B), extending FTC enforcement authority to ticket-price disclosures.
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- All-inclusive price disclosure, speculative ticketing ban, and refund requirements take effect
- FTC report to Congress on BOTS Act enforcement due
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 1402 would have a negligible net effect on the federal deficit, as any increased FTC enforcement costs would be small and subject to future appropriations.
H.R. 1402, the TICKET Act, would require ticket issuers and secondary-market sellers to clearly disclose the total price of tickets (including all fees), prohibit selling tickets not in one's possession, mandate disclosure of resale status, and require refunds for canceled events — all enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for live events at venues with a capacity of 200 or more. CBO found that implementing these requirements would result in small additional costs for the FTC to carry out its new enforcement duties, which would be subject to future discretionary appropriations (annual spending approved by Congress). The estimate identified no significant effects on direct (mandatory) spending or revenues, and did not find that the bill imposed intergovernmental or private-sector mandates exceeding the statutory thresholds under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
How implementation would work
The bill's requirements would take effect 180 days after enactment. No new rulemaking process is specified; the FTC would enforce violations directly as unfair or deceptive trade practices under the FTC Act, using its existing jurisdiction, penalties, and procedural tools. The FTC must submit a report to Congress within six months of enactment on its enforcement record under the BOTS Act of 2016, including challenges and recommendations. No grant cycles or phase-in tiers are established; compliance is self-executing on sellers once the 180-day window closes.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 163.
Official CRS summary
Show the CRS summaryHide the CRS summary
This 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.
Legislative subjects
Commerce; Competition and antitrust; Consumer affairs; Inflation and prices; Marketing and advertising; Service industries; User charges and fees
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-66