US states enact caps on concert ticket resale prices

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced a proposal to limit the resale price of concert and sporting event tickets to 110% of the original face value and to cap service fees at 10% of the total price. The measure, included in her supplemental budget, is aimed at protecting consumers from price gouging in the secondary market, though industry representatives argue that primary‑market pricing practices remain the larger affordability issue.

The Council of the District of Columbia unanimously passed the RESALE Act, which caps resale prices at 10% above face value, bans speculative ticket sales and requires sellers to possess the tickets they list. The legislation is presented as a consumer‑protection step and is expected to take effect next year, despite criticism from resale platforms that the caps could push sales to unregulated channels.