Ticketmaster, the long-criticized ticketing giant, has finally bowed to pressure and will now display the total price of tickets upfront, including all fees. This change comes as a direct response to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ban on deceptive junk fees, which took effect on May 12th, 2025. The new “All In Prices” initiative aims to provide greater transparency for consumers, ending the frustrating practice of hidden fees that often inflated the final cost significantly.
Previously, Ticketmaster would display only the base ticket price, with various fees added only at checkout, leading to sticker shock for many. Now, the total cost will be prominently shown before a customer commits to purchasing. While this is a significant step forward, some fees, such as local taxes and delivery charges, will still be revealed at checkout. Nevertheless, this change marks a considerable victory for consumers who have long complained about Ticketmaster’s opaque pricing practices.
This move follows the highly publicized Taylor Swift ticketing debacle in 2022, which exposed the vulnerabilities and frustrations within the current ticketing system. The incident spurred increased scrutiny from lawmakers and regulatory agencies, leading to the FTC’s ban and other legislative actions aimed at curbing deceptive pricing. The Department of Justice even sued Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation, last year, alleging monopolistic practices that artificially inflated ticket prices.
The House of Representatives passed the TICKET Act in 2024, further emphasizing the need for upfront pricing transparency. This bill, currently awaiting Senate approval, would mandate that all ticket sellers clearly display the total price, including all applicable fees, before the purchase is finalized. Ticketmaster’s proactive adoption of “All In Prices” might be seen as an attempt to preempt further regulatory action and improve its public image following years of negative press.
Beyond pricing, Ticketmaster has also announced some improvements to its online queue system. Customers will now receive real-time updates on ticket availability and wait times, and are able to see their position in the queue. These changes, while seemingly minor, aim to address another major source of customer complaints regarding the purchasing process.
While the complete elimination of all hidden fees remains a goal, Ticketmaster’s adoption of upfront pricing is a positive development. It will be interesting to see if this change leads to a more positive customer experience and whether other ticketing companies follow suit. The success of “All In Prices” will likely be judged by consumer feedback and whether the transparency truly improves the ticketing process.
