D.C. Council’s ticket-resale law moves toward a planned 2027 start

The D.C. Council gave final, unanimous approval July 14, 2026, to legislation that would limit ticket-resale prices for live entertainment in the District. The Council published its final-approval explanation July 16.

The Restricting Egregious Scalping Against Live Entertainment Amendment Act, known as the RESALE Act, is intended to take effect January 1, 2027. It is not yet in force as of August 5, 2026. The measure still must receive mayoral approval and complete the required congressional review process.

What would change for ticket buyers

For covered tickets sold on the secondary market, the resale price could be no more than 10% above the original ticket price. A separate fee allowance of up to 10% would mean the maximum total charge could reach 120% of face value.

The law also requires all-in pricing. Advertised prices would have to include fees and other add-ons rather than revealing those charges only at checkout.

The rules cover live entertainment, including concerts and theater. They do not cover sporting events or movies.

The Council’s action applies whether a ticket is resold by a company or by a private individual. The measure also bans speculative ticketing, in which a seller lists a ticket that the seller does not yet possess.

Rules aimed at pricing practices

The RESALE Act would prohibit surveillance pricing, meaning a reseller could not use an individual customer’s location, browsing history or other identifiable online profile data to increase that customer’s price. The Council clarified that demographic-based discounts, such as discounts for seniors or veterans, would remain allowed.

The legislation does not regulate primary-market ticket prices. An amendment removed language that would have allowed the mayor to regulate platform fees when tickets are first sold directly to consumers. The approved measure instead focuses on secondary-market transactions.

Registration and bonding for larger resellers

Individuals and companies that resell more than 50 tickets in a year would have to register and obtain a license through the District’s Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Those resellers would also have to maintain a $25,000 surety bond.

That threshold does not mean every resale transaction requires registration. The requirement applies to sellers exceeding 50 tickets annually.

Why the measure is contested

Supporters say the law would protect District residents from steep markups, hidden fees and listings for tickets that are not actually available. Local venue operator I.M.P., which operates venues including the 9:30 Club, The Anthem, Lincoln Theatre and The Atlantis, supported the legislation.

The Ticket Policy Forum, which represents ticket-resale companies, opposed the measure. Its executive director argued that focusing on the secondary market could give Ticketmaster an advantage and make it harder for competing resale platforms to operate. The Washington Business Journal also reported warnings that the legislation could push some sales toward less-regulated markets. Those are stakeholder concerns, not established outcomes.

Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, supported the bill’s bans on speculative ticketing, its all-in pricing requirement and its resale-cap provisions.

What happens next

The measure received implementation funding through the District budget. It still needs mayoral approval and congressional review before it can take effect. If those steps are completed, the intended effective date is January 1, 2027.

Until then, District buyers and sellers should treat the RESALE Act as legislation approved by the Council but awaiting enactment and implementation—not as an active price cap. The next practical milestones are the mayor’s action, the congressional review period and District guidance on registration, licensing and implementation.

Sources

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