Washington D.C. Approves Stringent Ticket-Scalping Laws

Photo Credit: L-R: Audrey Fix Schaefer (IMP), Antonio Nunes (Councilmember Allen’s Office), Jordan Grobe (IMP), Jake Diamond (Union Stage Presents), Catherine Ferrando (Black Cat), Willy Joy (U St. Music Hall Presents), Lisa White (U St. Music Hall Presents); In Front: Jean Homza (9:30 Club)

Washington DC passes a robust consumer protection law for concert fans in the form of the RESALE Act, which establishes a 10% price cap for resellers.

Independent Concert Promotion (IMP) joins the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and the Fix the Tix Coalition in applauding the D.C. Council for unanimously giving final approval to the RESALE Act—landmark legislation that will establish one of the most stringent and comprehensive resale ticketing laws in the nation.

Championed by Councilmember Charles Allen, the legislation aims to protect fans, artists, independent venues, theaters, comedy clubs, and festivals from deceptive ticket resale practices while ensuring greater transparency, accountability, and fairness throughout the ticket-buying process.

Scalpers, professional ticket resellers, and online resale platforms have driven up ticket prices for years, misleading customers and profiting from deceptive practices that make it harder for fans to access live entertainment. The RESALE Act addresses these abuses with a comprehensive package of reforms that puts fans first while strengthening Washington, D.C.’s independent live entertainment ecosystem.

The RESALE Act includes the following consumer protections:

• Establishes a 10% resale price cap to curb excessive markups and price gouging in the secondary ticket marketplace.
• Bans speculative ticket sales, making it illegal to advertise or sell tickets that the reseller does not actually possess.
• Requires full price transparency, including clear itemization of ticket costs and mandatory fees throughout the purchase process.
• Prohibits surveillance pricing, preventing ticket sellers from using consumers’ personal data to manipulate or personalize prices.
• Strengthens enforcement and consumer protections, ensuring the District has the authority and resources necessary to hold bad actors accountable.

“Today, the D.C. Council stood with D.C.’s most beloved and iconic music venues, with our storied theaters, and with every music and live theater fan who’s tired of getting ripped off and priced out,” said Councilmember Charles Allen, the author of the RESALE Act. “Ticket resellers have used technology and unrestrained profits to turn our live entertainment scene into the Wild West.”

“Just last week it was revealed StubHub has been running a major ticket scalping operation while they’ve argued they’re just a platform for fans to sell extra tickets,” Allen added. “People are sick of big tech wringing more and more money out of them. D.C. is a leader here, and I expect many other jurisdictions to step in once they see we can save our residents money and keep more dollars in our local economy instead of propping up big tech.”

“We’ve been fighting hard for legislation that will put an end to predatory scalpers from all over the country taking advantage of people in D.C.,” said Audrey Fix Schaefer, Director of Communications for IMP, 9:30 Club, and The Anthem. “This will stop opportunistic profiteers from making more than the artists, and it will enable more fans to see more shows, and then cross the street to enjoy a meal in the neighborhood restaurants, since they still have enough money in their pockets. The RESALE Act will keep millions of dollars in D.C.”

“Washington, D.C. has raised the bar for ticketing reform nationwide by establishing the strongest consumer protection framework in the country that should be replicated in every state,” said Stephen Parker, Executive Director of NIVA.

“From the resale price cap to stronger safeguards against deceptive ticketing practices, the RESALE Act puts fans first and strengthens the District’s independent stages. We commend Councilmember Allen, Councilmember Henderson, Councilmember Pinto, the entire D.C. Council, and the many local advocates whose time and leadership made this landmark achievement possible. We hope states across the country will look to Washington, D.C. as the blueprint for the next generation of resale ticketing reform.”

“Black Cat has always been proud of our city and its music scene, and is excited to see D.C. become one of the first places in the nation where bands can set concert prices with confidence and fans will be free from price gouging,” said Catherine Ferrando, VP and Co-Owner of Black Cat.

“Big concerts may get the headlines, but D.C.’s theatres have been getting hit hard by resellers preying on theatregoers, especially on blockbuster shows,” said Paul R. Tetreault, Director of Ford’s Theatre. “We’re grateful to the D.C. Council for taking this seriously and protecting our audiences.”

Following final Council approval, the RESALE Act advances through the remaining steps of the District’s legislative process before taking effect on January 1, 2027.