**Biden Administration’s Ban on Junk Fees: Ticketmaster Responds with Full Price Transparency**
As the Biden administration’s ban on “junk fees” took effect on Monday, Ticketmaster announced it would begin displaying the total price of tickets right from the start of the shopping experience. This move comes in response to long-standing complaints about hidden fees associated with ticket purchases. The new regulation, introduced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in December, mandates that ticket sellers, hotels, vacation rental platforms, and similar businesses disclose all processing, cleaning, and other fees upfront.
Ticketmaster expressed its support for the FTC’s initiative. “Ticketmaster has long advocated for all-in pricing to become the nationwide standard so fans can easily compare prices across all ticketing sites,” stated Michael Wichser, Ticketmaster’s Chief Operating Officer. In addition to price transparency, Ticketmaster will inform customers of their position in the queue when they log in to purchase tickets and provide real-time updates for wait times exceeding 30 minutes, including ticket price ranges and availability.
As the largest ticket seller globally, Ticketmaster processes around 500 million tickets annually across more than 30 countries, with approximately 70% of tickets for major U.S. concert venues sold through its platform. The company believes that these changes will align North America with global practices, where full ticket prices are typically visible from the outset.
SeatGeek, another ticketing platform, also updated its features to make all-in pricing the default setting. “Fans deserve pricing that’s clear from the start,” said SeatGeek CEO Jack Groetzinger, expressing pride in the industry’s shift towards transparency.
Ticketmaster has faced scrutiny since 2022 when its website crashed during a presale event for Taylor Swift’s stadium tour, overwhelmed by both fans and bots attempting to purchase tickets for resale. The U.S. Department of Justice has also taken action against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation, alleging they operate an illegal monopoly that inflates ticket prices. This case is still ongoing.
In a related effort, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March aimed at reducing ticket scalping and promoting price transparency throughout the ticket purchasing process. The order requires the FTC to enforce measures against unfair and deceptive practices in the industry.
**FAQ**
**What are “junk fees” and how do they affect ticket prices?**
Junk fees are hidden charges that are added to the base price of tickets, often making it difficult for consumers to understand the true cost of their purchase. The recent ban aims to eliminate these fees, ensuring that consumers see the full price upfront.
