California concert ticket resale cap bill fails in Senate
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California’s proposed cap on concert-ticket resale prices has failed after AB 1720 did not pass the Senate appropriations committee, ending its progress this legislative session. The outcome leaves Californian fans without the proposed protection against high secondary-market mark-ups and underscores the influence of a fiercely contested lobbying campaign.
The bill initially proposed limiting resale prices to 10% above face value, before being narrowed to venues of up to 3,000 capacity. It was backed by Live Nation and independent venue, artist and talent groups, while StubHub spent a record $3.4 million lobbying in California this year, including $2.6 million in the latest quarter; comparable caps have been adopted in Maine, Vermont and Washington, DC.
- California’s concert-ticket resale cap bill has failed.
- The proposal was narrowed to smaller venues before its defeat.
- StubHub spent $3.4 million lobbying in California this year.
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Concert tickets are often sold first by venues, promoters or official ticketing firms at a set face value. If buyers later decide not to attend, tickets may be resold through websites or other sellers, sometimes at prices far above the original cost.
California lawmakers have been considering rules for this secondary market, including a proposal to limit how much sellers could add to a ticket’s face value. Supporters included concert-industry groups and smaller venues, while resale platform StubHub opposed the measure and campaigned against it.
The debate reflects a wider question over whether price limits would make live events more affordable for fans or reduce the ability of people to resell tickets freely. Similar restrictions already exist in a small number of other US states and cities.
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Originally published by The Hollywood Reporter as “California Bill to Cap Concert Resale Ticket Prices Dies After Lobbying Frenzy”.