Live Nation/Ticketmaster Applauds FTC's Ban on 'Junk Fees' as All-In Ticket Pricing Becomes Mandatory
Live Nation/Ticketmaster has expressed support for the Federal Trade Commission's new rule banning "junk fees" in the live ticketing and hospitality industries. The regulation, passed on December 17th, requires businesses to display total prices, including all mandatory fees, upfront when selling event tickets or short-term lodging.
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The FTC's new rule requires:
- Prominent display of total prices including all mandatory fees
- Accurate upfront pricing information
- Total price must be more prominent than other pricing details
- No concealing add-on charges until checkout
Live Nation has already implemented all-in pricing at their venues and festivals, stating this industry-wide mandate will improve transparency for fans and potentially increase sales by reducing abandoned purchases at checkout.
According to FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, the rule aims to eliminate hidden fees in live event tickets, hotels, and vacation rentals. The FTC projects the regulation will:
- Save consumers approximately $11 billion over 10 years
- Reduce price-searching time by 53 million hours annually
- Provide clearer budgeting for consumers
The measure passed with a 4-1 vote by FTC commissioners, with Commissioner Andrew Ferguson casting the sole dissenting vote.
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The regulation marks a significant shift in pricing transparency requirements across the entertainment and hospitality sectors, promising to simplify the ticket-buying process for consumers while maintaining industry profitability through reduced cart abandonment.