Ticketmaster Adopts Full Price Transparency Amid Crackdown on 'Junk Fees'

May 12, 2025
Ticketmaster Adopts Full Price Transparency Amid Crackdown on 'Junk Fees'
  • Other ticket platforms, such as SeatGeek, have also adopted all-in pricing as the default option, emphasizing the need for clear pricing.

  • FTC Chair Linda Khan stated that the new rule aims to eliminate 'junk fees' and could potentially save consumers billions of dollars.

  • Businesses are now required to provide clear descriptions of fees, avoiding vague terms like 'convenience fees' or 'service fees'.

  • Despite these changes, many consumers remain skeptical about Ticketmaster's motives, questioning whether this move is genuinely consumer-friendly or simply a reaction to regulatory pressure.

  • The policy shift comes amid ongoing legal challenges for Ticketmaster, including a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice alleging monopolistic practices.

  • Michael Wichser, Ticketmaster's Chief Operating Officer, expressed support for the FTC's initiative, advocating for all-in pricing to facilitate easier price comparisons for consumers.

  • All-in pricing is now the standard nationwide, allowing consumers to easily compare prices across different ticket-selling platforms.

  • As the largest ticket seller globally, Ticketmaster processes 500 million tickets annually and holds a significant market share in the U.S. concert venue sector.

  • Ticketmaster has begun displaying the total ticket price upfront, including all fees, in compliance with a new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule that took effect on May 12, 2025.

  • Former President Donald Trump had previously signed an executive order aimed at enhancing price transparency and combating ticket scalping, which aligns with these recent changes.

  • This initiative is part of a broader effort by the former Biden administration to enhance price transparency across various industries.

  • The push for transparent pricing follows significant scrutiny from lawmakers and regulatory agencies, particularly after the backlash from the 2022 Taylor Swift concert presale incident.

Summary based on 21 sources


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