Pasco Reporter

Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) have reintroduced the TICKET Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at increasing transparency in the entertainment ticketing industry. The legislation mandates that all event ticket sellers disclose the total ticket price upfront, including all required fees. It also ensures refunds for canceled or postponed events and aims to protect consumers from deceptive ticketing websites.

The TICKET Act aligns with existing advertising guidelines for airline tickets, allowing consumers to view the full price before purchasing. Studies by the New York Attorney General’s office and the Government Accountability Office indicate that fees can constitute between 21% and 58% of a ticket's total cost.

“There is nothing more disappointing for an avid fan than being lured into the prospect of an affordable ticket to see his or her favorite sports team or band only to learn later in the check-out process that the final price tag is significantly higher. Our pro-consumer bill brings much needed transparency to the whole ticketing industry, and I’m committed to working towards reforms that protect consumers and provide certainty in the marketplace,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis.

“Fans are incredibly frustrated by how hard it has become to buy event tickets. With every ticketing debacle, from Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, to more recently with Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour, and so many more, their frustration grows,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “By introducing the bipartisan TICKET Act, we are proud to be responding to the voices of so many fans to make this process easier and more transparent. Consumers deserve to be protected from fraudulent tickets, surprise costs, and excessive fees.”

The TICKET Act specifically requires:

- Display of total event ticket prices upfront

- Prohibition on selling tickets not yet possessed by sellers ("speculative ticketing")

- Guaranteed refunds for canceled events

- Options for replacement tickets or refunds for postponed events

- Protection against fraudulent websites through clear disclosures

A similar version of this legislation is being supported in the United States Senate by Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Ed Markey (D-MA).