{"id":37075,"date":"2023-08-03T17:39:54","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T17:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanorchestras.org\/?p=37075"},"modified":"2025-07-08T19:35:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T19:35:44","slug":"at-a-glance-ticketing-policies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanorchestras.org\/at-a-glance-ticketing-policies\/","title":{"rendered":"At a Glance: Ticketing Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alongside policy action at the state level, the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Congress are taking action on proposals that would set new national rules for those that sell concert tickets on the both the primary and secondary sales markets. The League, in partnership with the Performing Arts Alliance, is a member of the Fix the Tix Coalition<\/strong><\/a>, and is analyzing all active proposals for the impact on orchestras. We are supporting immediate action to stop predatory activity in the secondary market that is hurting audiences and creating substantial financial and reputational harm to orchestras, as described in Symphony<\/em> coverage of orchestras battling ticket scams<\/strong><\/a>. The League is also watching the fine print of all proposals to make sure new transparency requirements will support nonprofit and season-based ticket sales models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal Trade Commission Announces New Ticket Sales Rules<\/strong>
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced new national rules<\/a><\/strong> for marketing and sales of live-event tickets and short-term lodging, following scrutiny of hidden fees. The core content of the rules begins on page 309 of the full rulemaking announcement<\/a><\/strong>. The final rules go into effect May 12, 2025 <\/strong>and will require sellers to clearly communicate the total price of items for sale where prices are displayed and advertised, to accurately represent the nature, purpose, and amount of fees that are charged, and to clearly disclose the final amount of payment for the transaction. (Government charges, shipping charges, and optional fees or charges may be excluded from the total price.) Many states have similar requirements in place or under consideration.

The League, in partnership with the wider nonprofit performing arts sector, analyzed the initial proposed rules and submitted comments to the FTC in February 2024 to surface questions about how the rules would be applied to the nonprofit, subscription-based, and donor-supported ticketing models, and to go on record with concerns related to predatory activity in the secondary ticket sales market unaddressed by the FTC’s action. In announcing the final rules, the FTC has signaled that while FTC’s jurisdiction is specific to profit-making enterprises, it  is empowered by Congress to \u201cprevent persons, partnerships, or corporations\u201d from engaging in \u201cunfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The League will continue to analyze this recent FTC action and share further FTC resources as they become available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n