Ticketmaster is aiming to eliminate deceptive ticket practices with all-in pricing in the US.

Ticketmaster has introduced nationwide all-in pricing in the United States, meaning fans will now see the full ticket cost, including service fees, upfront before checkout. The change follows mounting pressure from US lawmakers and consumer protection agencies, as well as ongoing concerns from fans and artists about a lack of transparency in the ticket-buying process.

Ticketmaster’s pricing system has long been criticised for hiding service fees until the final step of purchase. This practice often led to tickets appearing cheaper than they actually were, only for fans to be met with additional charges at the last moment. According to estimates reported by DMN, up to 50% of fans abandoned their purchase once they saw the total price at checkout. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also reported that US consumers have collectively spent more than 53 million hours trying to find accurate ticket pricing.

The new pricing model groups all fees into a single figure shown from the outset, with only tax calculated at checkout. This shift comes as the Ticket Act, a bipartisan bill designed to end misleading pricing and improve transparency across ticketing platforms, continues its path through Congress. The FTC has also introduced new guidelines to regulate “junk fees” and restore trust among consumers.

“This consensus legislation will end deceptive ticketing practices that frustrate consumers who simply want to enjoy a concert, show, or sporting event by restoring fairness and transparency to the ticket marketplace,” said House Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Frank Pallone, and Gus Bilirakis in a joint statement.

Michael Wichser, Ticketmaster’s COO, commented: “Ticketmaster has long advocated for all-in pricing to become the nationwide standard so fans can easily compare prices across all ticketing sites, and we commend the FTC for making that a reality… It marks a meaningful step forward for our industry and we’ll continue pushing for additional reforms that protect both artists and fans.”

The company has also announced several updates to the fan experience. Fans joining a virtual queue for high-demand events will now be shown their position in line and receive real-time updates on ticket availability. For events with long wait times, Ticketmaster will display price ranges upfront and notify fans if extra dates are added.

While the launch of all-in pricing is seen as a positive development, some industry observers have pointed out that the total amount of fees charged has not been reduced – only presented a bit more clearly. Additionally, because all service charges are bundled together, it remains unclear how much of the fee goes to Ticketmaster, venues, or other parties involved.

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