Ticketmaster Adopts Full Price Transparency Amidst Regulatory Pressure and Scrutiny
May 12, 2025
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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Sources

The Verge • May 12, 2025
Ticketmaster will finally show the full price of your ticket up front
The Independent • May 13, 2025
Ticketmaster to make key changes following huge backlash
Gizmodo • May 12, 2025
Do Prices on Ticketmaster Suddenly Seem Much Higher? You’re Not Alone.
The Globe and Mail • May 12, 2025
As Biden-era ‘junk fee’ rule takes effect, Ticketmaster says it will display fees more clearly