Catching your favorite artist live in concert is becoming a luxury many fans simply can’t afford anymore. Across California, ticket prices for major concerts and festivals have skyrocketed, leaving music lovers frustrated after seeing “sold out” messages followed by outrageous resale prices online.
Now, state lawmakers are stepping in with a proposal that could dramatically change the way concert tickets are resold.
Assembly Member Matt Haney has introduced AB 1720, also known as the “California Fans First Act,” aimed at cracking down on ticket scalping and speculative reselling. The proposed legislation would cap resale prices at just 10% above the original ticket price, including fees.
Why Fans Are Fed Up
Concertgoers say the current ticket market feels impossible to navigate. Many fans who manage to buy tickets during the initial sale feel lucky, while others are forced to watch prices explode on secondary resale sites moments later.
At a recent concert at Chase Center, fans shared how live music offers an escape from everyday stress and creates unforgettable memories. But they also admitted the rising costs are making concerts harder to justify.
Instead of paying face value, many people are seeing tickets resold for hundreds — sometimes thousands — more than the original price.
What the “Fans First” Bill Would Do
Haney says professional resellers and ticket speculators are driving up prices by buying large blocks of tickets and flipping them for massive profits.
Under AB 1720:
- Tickets could not legally be resold for more than 10% above face value
- The cap would include added service fees
- The law would apply to concerts and other live entertainment events
Supporters argue the bill would help keep tickets affordable for real fans instead of allowing scalpers to dominate the market.
Haney pointed to recent performances by Sam Smith at the Castro Theatre as an example of how resale prices can quickly spiral out of control.
Not Everyone Supports the Plan
While many music fans are applauding the proposal, critics say the bill may create new problems.
The Consumer Federation of California has strongly opposed the legislation, arguing it could actually strengthen the dominance of Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster.
Consumer advocates claim limiting the resale market could give Ticketmaster even more control over ticket distribution and pricing.
Ironically, Ticketmaster itself has voiced support for the bill, saying it would better protect artists and fans from extreme resale markups.
Meanwhile, resale platforms like StubHub and Vivid Seats have not publicly responded to the proposal.
What Happens Next?
The California Fans First Act still faces a long road before becoming law. The bill must pass both the State Assembly and Senate before reaching the governor’s desk, potentially by early September.
If approved, California could become one of the toughest states in the country when it comes to regulating ticket resale prices.
For many fans, that change can’t come soon enough. Spending $1,000 on a ticket that originally cost a fraction of that has become far too common — and concertgoers are hoping lawmakers finally bring some relief before live music becomes completely unaffordable.
