Slow Progress in US Ticketing Reforms Sparks Widespread Concern

In the aftermath of public furor regarding exorbitant prices for tickets to Taylor Swift’s summer tour, progress on legislative reforms aimed at safeguarding consumers has been sluggish. The uproar had originally led to Congressional hearings and prompted states to consider new consumer protection laws.

A decade after the conclusion of Swift’s U.S. tour, not much has changed. The majority of substantial reforms advocated by consumer groups and industry stakeholders have not materialized. Despite proposals put forth, the U.S. Senate has yet to move forward on any significant legislation. Moreover, a bill in Colorado was vetoed by the Democratic governor, acting on advice from various consumer organizations.

In California, once a hotspot for legislative action on consumer protection issues, efforts have been reduced to a single law against hidden fees—a measure that most major industry entities have already volunteered to implement. The lackluster outcome led Robert Herrell, the executive director of the Consumer Federation of California, to express his disappointment: “The lack of action is an embarrassment and wholly inadequate.”

The inertia in modifying the ticketing sales and resale landscape underscores not only resistance from the industry but also the regulatory complications introduced by technology. Physical box offices are now largely obsolete; nearly all ticket transactions occur online, often with additional fees only disclosed at the last moment.

Furthermore, the ticketing process has grown increasingly opaque. Venues frequently refrain from disclosing the number of available seats, opting instead to release tickets in increments. This creates a false sense of urgency among consumers, who end up spending more under the assumption of scarcity.

Unethical practices also persist, with some parties using specialized software to bulk-purchase tickets for resale at elevated prices. These entities sometimes engage in “speculative ticketing,” selling tickets they do not yet possess—a practice consumer advocates consider precarious and untrustworthy.

Sharp divisions between consumer organizations, venues, ticket vendors, and artists have convoluted what should be clear-cut issues of consumer rights. While artists and venues aim to restrict ticket resales to prevent secondary market exploitation, consumer groups assert that ticket buyers should have the freedom to resell their purchases.

This ideological divide contributed to the veto of the Colorado bill, which had otherwise consumer-friendly components like the prohibition of hidden fees and speculative ticket sales.

In California, much of the debate has targeted Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster, which dominates the U.S. ticketing market. However, the implications extend to artists, major sports teams, and smaller venues as well. Julia Heath, president of the California chapter of the National Independent Venue Association, stated, “Though the target may be major players like Ticketmaster and Live Nation, the fallout affects a broader spectrum.”

The biggest bone of contention revolves around the right to resell purchased tickets. A bill granting venues and artists this power passed the Senate but was ultimately rejected by the Assembly after drawing ire from consumer advocates. Another bill aimed at forbidding such restrictions was also weakened due to strong industry pushback.

Industry stakeholders are equally dissatisfied. Heath described the situation as a “missed opportunity,” underscoring existing issues that need resolution. On the other hand, Jenn Engstrom, the state director for the California Public Interest Research Group, argues that even incremental changes, such as the ban on hidden fees, constitute progress.

Given the state of affairs, it appears that the struggle for meaningful reforms in the ticketing industry is far from over, with all sides recognizing the need for more comprehensive solutions.

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More about Ticketing Industry Reforms

• Consumer Protection Laws in the United States
• U.S. Congressional Hearings on Ticket Sales
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