NIVA Applauds Governor Healey’s Proposal to Cap Ticket Resale Prices and Ban Speculative Tickets In Massachusetts
Massachusetts joins a growing number of states advancing resale price limitations to make live performance affordable and accessible
July 16, 2026 - The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) today applauds Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey's announcement of The Great Divide Act, legislation that would establish strong consumer protections against predatory ticket resale practices. The proposal would cap ticket resale prices at 110% of the original face value, prohibit speculative ticket sales, limit excessive resale platform fees, and crack down on deceptive resale websites, marking the latest momentum behind commonsense state ticketing reforms that put fans first.
"The days of predatory resellers profiting at the expense of fans, artists, and independent stages is beginning to come to an end," said Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association. "In just the past week, we've seen yet another state embrace resale price caps and commonsense protections to keep tickets in the hands of real fans. Governor Healey's proposal is a major step toward protecting fans by capping excessive ticket resale markups and cracking down on other predatory resale practices. By curbing excessive markups, speculative ticket sales, and deceptive resale tactics, this legislation also strengthens the independent venues, festivals, and promoters that make Massachusetts' live entertainment community thrive. We commend Governor Healey and Noah Kahan for their leadership and look forward to working alongside the Healey Administration, lawmakers, Massachusetts independent stages, and coalition partners to get these protections across the finish line."
ABOUT NIVA
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is the national trade association representing thousands of independent live entertainment venues, festivals, promoters, and more. NIVA works to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of live entertainment. NIVA empowers members and their teams with member benefits, advocacy on the state, local, and federal levels, an annual industry-leading conference, and more.
NIVA led the Save Our Stages campaign, culminating in landmark legislation in 2020 that established the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, the largest arts investment in U.S. history.
NIVA is committed to equity in its support of independent stages. It seeks to create and encourage opportunities for venues, promoters, and festivals owned, operated, and staffed by people of color, women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities.
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