Live Nation Welcomes FTC's 'Junk Fees' Ban as All-In Ticket Pricing Becomes Mandatory
Live Nation and Ticketmaster have expressed support for the Federal Trade Commission's new rule banning "junk fees" in the live ticketing and hospitality industries. The rule, passed on December 17th, requires businesses to display total prices, including all mandatory fees, upfront when selling event tickets or short-term lodging.
Blue Ticketmaster logo with white T
The FTC's new regulation mandates that:
- Total prices must be displayed prominently upfront
- All mandatory fees must be included in the initial price display
- Businesses cannot misrepresent or hide additional charges
- The total price must be more prominent than any other pricing information
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 charges and unexpected fees that consumers often encounter during the purchasing process. The FTC projects the new regulation will:
- Save consumers approximately $11 billion over ten years
- Reduce price-searching time by 53 million hours annually
- Provide clearer, more transparent pricing across the industry
The measure passed with a 4-1 vote by FTC commissioners, with only Commissioner Andrew Ferguson voting against it. This regulation represents a significant shift toward more transparent pricing practices in the entertainment and hospitality sectors.
Google search bar showing TikTok queries