Beyoncé ticket prices reignite push to regulate Ticketmaster in Illinois
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Massive price discrepancies between Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour tickets have fans ringing the alarm, and local lawmakers are getting heated.
Case in point: Some fans paid around $500 for seats in section 127 at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, while others shelled out over $1,700 for the same section.
- This Beyoncé subreddit post got over 1,300 responses to a survey on Cowboy Carter ticket prices. The results further highlight the wide-ranging costs (see chart).
The big picture: The brutal ticket resale market is likely playing a role in the differing prices. Fans have speculated that dynamic pricing could also be to blame.
Between the lines: Ticketmaster and other ticket sellers have often found themselves in hot water for inflated pricing, botched ticket releases and junk fees. This latest round of Beyoncé ticket sales has her fans once again calling for increased regulation of ticket sellers.
- Ticketmaster said in a statement to Axios that the company does not have surge pricing or use algorithms to adjust prices and that Beyoncé ticket prices "were set in advance of the sales by the tour."
The latest: Illinois House Rep. Hoan Huynh (D-13th) is pushing a bill that would create safeguards against speculative ticket resales, deceptive pricing and other predatory ticketing practices.
- It would also legislate transparency by requiring all fees to be disclosed upfront.
What they're saying: "Fans shouldn't have to fight against bots, hidden fees and price manipulations just to attend an event," Huynh said in a press release.
- "Illinois can and should be a leader in protecting consumers from these exploitative tactics."
What's next: It's unclear if the bill will move forward, since Illinois already has a similar consumer protection law on the books. Lawmakers have until the current session ends in May to pass any new legislation.