DC Council Considers Bill to Cap Concert Ticket Resale Prices

The D.C. Council is considering the RESALE Amendment Act of 2025, legislation aimed at regulating the secondary market for concert tickets by capping resale prices at 10% above face value, banning speculative ticket listings, and requiring high-volume resellers to register and post a bond. Supporters, including local venue operators and artists, argue the bill is necessary to protect consumers from bots, scalpers, and predatory pricing practices that inflate ticket prices and disadvantage fans. Opponents, including major ticket companies like StubHub and Ticketmaster, warn that the bill could unintentionally strengthen dominant platforms like Live Nation by driving competitors out of business and creating black markets. They also caution that price caps have historically failed and could limit consumer options and competition. The bill's sponsor, Councilmember Charles Allen, emphasizes the unfairness of current resale practices that price gouge fans and reduce attendance at shows, while critics fear it may disrupt safe and flexible resale marketplaces. The legislation has sparked a debate balancing consumer protection against potential market consolidation and unintended consequences in the ticket resale industry.