Ticketmaster unveils all-inclusive ticket pricing, eliminating hidden fees that have long frustrated concertgoers across the nation.
Key Takeaways
- Ticketmaster now displays full ticket prices including fees before checkout as part of new “All In Prices” initiative.
- This change complies with the Federal Trade Commission’s ban on junk fees effective.
- The policy follows increased scrutiny after the Taylor Swift ticketing debacle and a Department of Justice lawsuit against Ticketmaster.
- Similar transparency regulations were initiated during the Trump administration to address ticket scalping.
- Ticketmaster processes 500 million tickets annually and dominates the U.S. market for major concert venues.
New Era of Transparent Ticket Pricing
Ticketmaster has implemented a significant change to its pricing display, now showing customers the full cost of tickets, including fees, before checkout. This new “All In Prices” initiative, which launched this week, marks a substantial shift for the ticket giant that processes over 500 million tickets annually. The move comes as the Federal Trade Commission’s ban on junk fees took effect, requiring ticket sellers and other businesses to disclose all mandatory fees upfront rather than surprising consumers at checkout.
The new pricing display includes both the ticket’s face value and associated service fees, giving consumers a clearer picture of their purchase. However, certain additional costs such as local taxes and delivery fees will still be shown at the final checkout stage. This reform brings North American ticket-buying practices more in line with global standards for pricing transparency, a change many consumer advocates have long demanded.
The junk fees rule we finalized @FTC last year goes into effect today.
That means businesses selling live-event tickets or short-term lodging can no longer surprise you with mystery charges that inflate your bill when you check out. https://t.co/8XV0kJbGZt
— Lina Khan (@linamkhan) May 12, 2025
Regulatory Pressure Driving Change
Ticketmaster’s pricing overhaul follows increased scrutiny from both political parties. While the Biden administration has championed the elimination of “junk fees” across various industries, similar transparency initiatives were set in motion during the Trump presidency. President Trump signed an executive order specifically addressing ticket scalping and mandating price transparency in the ticketing industry, demonstrating rare bipartisan agreement on consumer protection in this market.
The House has already passed the TICKET Act in 2024, which would permanently codify requirements for ticket sellers to show full prices upfront. This legislation is currently pending in the Senate, and would create a more stable regulatory environment beyond executive orders. The Federal Trade Commission announced its comprehensive rule targeting hidden fees across multiple industries in December, giving businesses time to implement changes before the May enforcement date.
Response to Past Controversies
Ticketmaster’s transparency push comes in the wake of several high-profile controversies that damaged its reputation with consumers. Most notably, the company faced intense backlash after its system crashed during a Taylor Swift concert presale event in 2022, leaving thousands of fans unable to purchase tickets despite waiting in virtual queues for hours. This incident triggered congressional hearings and renewed calls for stronger oversight of Ticketmaster’s business practices.
Further compounding the company’s challenges, the Department of Justice has sued Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation for allegedly monopolizing ticket sales and artificially inflating prices. The lawsuit claims the company has used its dominant market position to raise service fees far beyond reasonable levels. Ticketmaster currently controls ticketing for the vast majority of major concert venues across the United States, giving it enormous influence over the live entertainment market.
Improved Customer Experience
Beyond pricing transparency, Ticketmaster has also implemented several improvements to its queue system in response to past failures. These enhancements include providing real-time updates on ticket availability, more accurate wait time estimates, and displaying the number of people ahead in line. This gives consumers more information when deciding whether to continue waiting for tickets or seek alternatives. Other ticket platforms, including SeatGeek, have followed Ticketmaster’s lead by defaulting to all-in pricing.
While these changes represent positive steps toward addressing longstanding consumer complaints, Ticketmaster continues to face challenges regarding its market dominance. The FTC remains tasked with ensuring transparency and preventing unfair practices in the ticket industry, regardless of which political party controls the White House. For consumers, the new “All In Prices” approach means fewer surprises at checkout, even as debates about reasonable fee levels continue.
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Ticketmaster will finally show the full price of your ticket up front
As Biden-era ‘junk fee’ rule takes effect, Ticketmaster says it will display fees more clearly
