Ticketmaster, the dominant force in global ticketing, has begun displaying the full cost of tickets upfront, including service and facility fees, in compliance with a new Federal Trade Commission rule banning hidden “junk fees.” This regulatory change, effective from 12 May 2025, mandates that companies across sectors such as live events, hospitality, and vacation rentals disclose all mandatory fees at the outset of the purchasing process.
The FTC’s rule aims to eliminate deceptive pricing practices that have long frustrated consumers, who often encountered unexpected charges during checkout. Under the new regulation, ticket sellers like Ticketmaster must present the total price, encompassing service and facility fees, before customers proceed to payment. However, delivery fees and taxes may still be added at checkout, provided they are disclosed prior to finalising the purchase.
Ticketmaster, responsible for approximately 70% of ticket sales for major U.S. concert venues and processing over 500 million tickets annually worldwide, has expressed support for the FTC’s initiative. The company has introduced an “All In Prices” feature, ensuring that consumers see the complete cost of tickets upfront. Additionally, Ticketmaster has enhanced its online platform with real-time updates, queue tracking, and alerts on ticket availability and pricing.
This move comes amid heightened scrutiny of Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, which are currently facing a Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit alleging monopolistic practices that inflate ticket prices. The lawsuit follows a high-profile incident in 2022, where Ticketmaster’s system crashed during the presale for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, leading to widespread consumer backlash and calls for greater transparency in ticket pricing.
In response to these challenges, Ticketmaster has also intensified its efforts to combat automated bots that purchase large quantities of tickets for resale at inflated prices. The company reported blocking 53 billion bot attacks in 2024, a fivefold increase since 2019. This initiative aligns with broader governmental efforts to protect consumers from unfair ticketing practices.
The FTC’s rule is part of a wider federal push to enhance pricing transparency across various industries. In March 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at curbing ticket scalping and enforcing consumer protection through increased FTC oversight. Furthermore, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the TICKET Act in May 2024, mandating upfront price transparency in ticket sales, which is currently under Senate consideration.
Other ticketing platforms, such as SeatGeek, have also adopted default “all-in pricing” models in response to the new regulations. These changes reflect a growing consensus among industry stakeholders and policymakers on the need for clearer pricing structures to empower consumers and foster fair competition.