New California bill is targeting speculative ticketing
California’s new bill could crack down on fake and overpriced concert tickets. Find out what it means for fans, artists, and venues.
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan has introduced a new legislative proposal, Bill AB 1349, aimed at putting an end to one of the ticketing industry’s most frustrating practices: speculative ticketing. For musicians, promoters, and fans alike, this could be a big step toward fairer, more transparent live event access.
Speculative ticketing is when someone lists tickets for resale on secondary platforms before they even own them. In other words, the seller doesn’t actually have the ticket in hand—they’re betting they’ll be able to get one and flip it to a buyer at a higher price. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t, and when it doesn’t, it’s usually the fan who ends up losing.
For artists and indie venues, it’s a nightmare. It drives up prices, damages trust, and makes it harder for genuine fans to access shows.
What would AB 1349 Do?
If passed, AB 1349 would make a few key changes:
- No ticket? No listing. Resellers would have to actually own the ticket or have a contractual right to sell it, before they’re allowed to list it for sale. This would effectively end speculative ticketing in California.
- Hold secondary platforms accountable. Ticket resale platforms would also be required to enforce this rule, refusing listings unless the seller can prove they hold the ticket.
- Ban fake-looking websites. Resellers would no longer be allowed to design websites that mimic the look and feel of official ticketing or venue sites. This is a big win for fans who often end up confused or misled during the ticket-buying process.
- Seat numbers must be shown. Listings on resale sites would need to clearly display the seat location of the ticket. That means more transparency for fans about what exactly they’re buying.
Why this matters
Independent venues and promoters have been some of the loudest voices supporting the bill. The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), a key group representing grassroots venues, has backed AB 1349, calling speculative ticketing a serious threat to the integrity of the live music experience.
“Independent venues are the heart of California’s cultural and economic landscape,” said NIVA executive director Stephen Parker. “Speculative ticketing undermines everything we work so hard to create: fair access, fan trust, and thriving live events.”
Assemblymember Bryan echoed the same concern: “Too often, consumers are unaware that they are buying from a secondary market platform and not from the actual venue’s website.”
For musicians and producers, this bill hits close to home. Overpriced resale tickets and shady third-party sellers can create a negative experience before fans even walk through the door. That hurts the relationship between artist and audience—and hurts the entire live music ecosystem.
This bill comes at a time when ticketing has become a hot-button issue in the U.S., especially following controversies involving major tours and ticket resale markups. While AB 1349 is specific to California, its influence could spread. If it works well, other states may look to adopt similar protections.
