Ticketmaster Adopts Full Price Transparency Amidst Regulatory Pressure and Scrutiny

May 12, 2025
Ticketmaster Adopts Full Price Transparency Amidst Regulatory Pressure and Scrutiny
  • This move coincides with the Federal Trade Commission's ban on junk fees for live events, which also took effect on the same day.

  • The new pricing model is expected to enhance consumer trust and improve overall ticket sales by providing customers with a clearer understanding of costs.

  • Historically, Ticketmaster has faced criticism for hidden fees that often inflated ticket prices, with reports indicating that service fees could add 27% to 31% to the advertised price.

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

  • The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has been investigating competition in the ticketing industry, especially in light of the issues surrounding the Taylor Swift presale.

  • In a similar move, SeatGeek has also adopted all-in pricing as the default setting on its platform, emphasizing the need for clear pricing for consumers.

  • On May 12, 2025, Ticketmaster announced a significant policy change to display full ticket prices upfront, aligning with the Biden administration's new rule aimed at eliminating 'junk fees.'

  • This policy shift comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Ticketmaster, which is currently facing a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice alleging monopolistic practices.

  • Additionally, Ticketmaster is intensifying efforts to combat bots that disrupt ticket sales, claiming to block an average of 200 million bot attempts daily.

  • This change in Ticketmaster's pricing strategy is part of a broader trend among companies to enhance pricing transparency ahead of regulatory changes.

  • Customers have frequently reported situations where a $45 ticket ended up costing $145 due to these hidden fees, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.

  • Despite its claims of consumer advocacy, Ticketmaster had previously resisted full price disclosure and increased its lobbying against junk fee regulations.

Summary based on 18 sources


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