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Massachusetts Moves to Cap Ticket Resale Prices at 110% of Face Value
On July 16, 2026, Governor Maura Healey took the podium at the state‑house press conference and unveiled a new ticket‑resale initiative that could reshape how fans acquire concert and sporting‑event seats. The proposal, christened the "Great Divide Act," would cap resale prices at 110 percent of the original face value, limit secondary‑market service fees to 10 percent, and outlaw the sale of speculative passes—tickets listed for sale that the seller does not actually possess.
The bill’s text has not yet been released, but the governor’s office issued a press release outlining its core provisions. Beyond the price and fee limits, the act contains consumer‑protection clauses targeting deceptive resale websites and resellers who mislead buyers about ticket availability or scarcity.
Massachusetts is following a growing trend of state‑level anti‑scalping legislation. Washington, D.C., Vermont, and Maine already impose resale price restrictions or ban ghost tickets, while Illinois focuses on bot‑powered purchases, junk fees, and ghost tickets rather than price caps.
The initiative received a vocal champion in singer‑songwriter Noah Kahan, who is currently touring with his Great Divide Tour. A native of Strafford, Vermont, Kahan drew attention to ticket‑pricing woes after becoming the first artist to headline four consecutive sold‑out nights at Fenway Park.
Ticket resale has long been a flashpoint. Ticketmaster, the dominant primary‑ticket seller and a subsidiary of Live Nation Entertainment, has faced criticism for high fees and its handling of high‑profile events. In 2026 a federal jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable for antitrust violations, a verdict that intensified scrutiny of the secondary market.
The proposed law would also interact with existing ticket‑transfer regulations. Ticketmaster’s optional Face Value Exchange allows holders to sell tickets back to the platform at no markup, but the exchange is limited to non‑transferable tickets. Transferability is required by law in Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Utah, and Virginia, but not in Massachusetts.
Industry observers warn that a price cap could have unintended effects. If resale prices are capped, some sellers may shift to in‑person sales with higher mark‑ups, potentially creating new avenues for price gouging. The law’s impact on the broader secondary market remains to be seen.
The governor’s announcement came amid a broader push to protect consumers. Supporters argue that capping resale prices will make tickets more affordable for fans and reduce scalpers’ incentives to profit from high demand. Opponents raise concerns about enforcement challenges and the potential for reduced liquidity in the secondary market.
The Great Divide Act is currently in the legislative process. It will be considered by the Massachusetts House and Senate before it can become law, with no specific timeline for passage announced.
In the meantime, artists and venues are monitoring the proposal closely. Ticketmaster has indicated that it will review its policies to ensure compliance with any new state regulations. The upcoming summer concert season, which includes major tours such as the Great Divide Tour, will be a key period for observing how the law, if enacted, affects ticket availability and pricing.
The bill’s status will be updated as it moves through the legislature. For now, Massachusetts remains the latest state to take a direct approach to ticket‑resale pricing, joining a growing list of jurisdictions seeking to curb scalping and protect fans.
The bill’s text has not yet been released, but the governor’s office issued a press release outlining its core provisions. Beyond the price and fee limits, the act contains consumer‑protection clauses targeting deceptive resale websites and resellers who mislead buyers about ticket availability or scarcity.
Massachusetts is following a growing trend of state‑level anti‑scalping legislation. Washington, D.C., Vermont, and Maine already impose resale price restrictions or ban ghost tickets, while Illinois focuses on bot‑powered purchases, junk fees, and ghost tickets rather than price caps.
The initiative received a vocal champion in singer‑songwriter Noah Kahan, who is currently touring with his Great Divide Tour. A native of Strafford, Vermont, Kahan drew attention to ticket‑pricing woes after becoming the first artist to headline four consecutive sold‑out nights at Fenway Park.
Ticket resale has long been a flashpoint. Ticketmaster, the dominant primary‑ticket seller and a subsidiary of Live Nation Entertainment, has faced criticism for high fees and its handling of high‑profile events. In 2026 a federal jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable for antitrust violations, a verdict that intensified scrutiny of the secondary market.
The proposed law would also interact with existing ticket‑transfer regulations. Ticketmaster’s optional Face Value Exchange allows holders to sell tickets back to the platform at no markup, but the exchange is limited to non‑transferable tickets. Transferability is required by law in Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Utah, and Virginia, but not in Massachusetts.
Industry observers warn that a price cap could have unintended effects. If resale prices are capped, some sellers may shift to in‑person sales with higher mark‑ups, potentially creating new avenues for price gouging. The law’s impact on the broader secondary market remains to be seen.
The governor’s announcement came amid a broader push to protect consumers. Supporters argue that capping resale prices will make tickets more affordable for fans and reduce scalpers’ incentives to profit from high demand. Opponents raise concerns about enforcement challenges and the potential for reduced liquidity in the secondary market.
The Great Divide Act is currently in the legislative process. It will be considered by the Massachusetts House and Senate before it can become law, with no specific timeline for passage announced.
In the meantime, artists and venues are monitoring the proposal closely. Ticketmaster has indicated that it will review its policies to ensure compliance with any new state regulations. The upcoming summer concert season, which includes major tours such as the Great Divide Tour, will be a key period for observing how the law, if enacted, affects ticket availability and pricing.
The bill’s status will be updated as it moves through the legislature. For now, Massachusetts remains the latest state to take a direct approach to ticket‑resale pricing, joining a growing list of jurisdictions seeking to curb scalping and protect fans.
