Hearings

Examining the Impact of Ticket Sales Practices and Bot Resales on Concert Fans

January 28, 2026
02:30 PM

Sen. Blackburn Announces Subcommittee Hearing on Ticket Costs on January 28th 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy, will convene a hearing titled: “Fees Rolled on All Summer Long: Examining the Live Entertainment Industry” on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 2:30 P.M. EST. This hearing will discuss live performance ticket sale practices, fees charged by primary and secondary sellers, and the prevalence of automated bots that rapidly buy up tickets, a practice making it harder for some fans to buy list price tickets or attend events.

Relatedly, last year the Senate Commerce Committee approved on a strong bipartisan basis the TICKET Act. The bipartisan legislation, supported by Chairman Cruz, would require all event ticket sellers to display the total ticket price—including all required fees—up front in any advertisement or marketing materials.

Upon announcing the hearing, Sen. Blackburn said:

“The artist-fan connection is the foundation of the live entertainment industry, but the ticketing industry has exploited this connection by enabling scammers to drive up ticket prices and take advantage of consumers. Americans should not have to battle bots and fraudsters to see their favorite band or sports team, and that is exactly why the FTC is taking decisive action to hold bad actors accountable. This hearing will provide critical congressional oversight to ensure the ticketing industry puts consumers before scammers, and I look forward to hearing from each of the witnesses.”

Sen. Cruz said:

“With the TICKET Act, the days of the exasperated sports fan or concertgoer being unable to accurately comparison-shop for a ticket to the big game or the perfect show are over. Hidden and extra fees for live events are confusing and deeply frustrating for consumers who simply want to find the best-priced ticket whether it’s sold by the venue, a reseller, or a scalper. Fans and key stakeholders in the event ticket industry all agree—increasing price transparency for tickets will help consumers and promote competition.”

Witness:

  • Mr. Robert Ritchie “Kid Rock”, Entertainer
  • Mr. Brian Berry, Executive Director, Ticket Policy Forum
  • Mr. Dan Wall, Executive Vice President of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Live Nation Entertainment
  • Mr. David Weingarden, Chair & Co-Founder, Colorado Independent Venue Association (CIVA) and Vice President for Concerts & Events at Z2 Entertainment

Hearing Details:

WHAT: Subcommittee Hearing titled “Fees Rolled on All Summer Long: Examining the Live Entertainment Industry”

DATE: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

TIME: 2:30 P.M. EST

LOCATION: Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253

LIVESTREAM: The hearing will stream live on the Committee web site and YouTube.

MEDIA INFO: Reporters wanting to attend the committee should contact their respective media gallery to RSVP.

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Testimony