Wire
Sen. Fernandes bill caps $100 ticket resales at $110 in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts bill would also require resale platforms to warn consumers about that limit and block official-sounding branding unless they have written permission.
For Massachusetts fans trying to buy seats to a sold-out show, the squeeze often comes from two places at once: the price and the site itself. A proposal in the state would cap covered ticket resales at 110% of the original price and make resale platforms stop leaning on official-sounding branding or false claims of affiliation.
The cap would apply to theatrical admissions, public shows, public amusements and exhibitions, so it reaches more than just concerts.
A price ceiling with a real limit
The bill is aimed at the resale premium, not resale itself. Under the proposal, a ticket bought for $100 could be resold for no more than $110. That is meant to keep a sold-out event from turning into a much more expensive second market the minute the first sale ends.
It also gives buyers a clearer rule to spot. If a listing is priced above that ceiling, it would run afoul of the law.
The official look is part of the pitch
The other half of the bill is about trust. Licensed resale platforms would have to tell consumers that the resale price is limited to 110% of the original ticket price, and they could not mislead buyers about whether tickets are available elsewhere.
The measure also bars deceptive website addresses and any claim, direct or implied, that a platform is official, endorsed by or affiliated with a venue, team or artist without written permission. That includes using words like “official” in ads, social media promotions, search results, URLs and monetization tools unless the venue, team or artist has agreed in writing.