NFL Should Cap Resale Ticket Markups at 25% to Stop Scalpers Locking Out Real Fans
Secondary market prices for NFL games rose nearly 18% ahead of the 2025 season and now average over $250 per ticket across the league — meaning a family of four spends close to $800 before they eat a hot dog. The NFL collects a cut of resale revenue through Ticketmaster while real fans get priced out of their own team's games. That's not a market — that's a shakedown.
Submitted by Chase Garbarino
Background
Maine passed resale cap legislation in 2025 limiting markups to 10%, and multiple states have 2026 bills in progress. The American Prospect reported in February 2026 that Congress members are co-sponsoring FTC legislation on captive stadium pricing. The Kansas City Chiefs have raised prices roughly 100% over the past decade during their dynasty run, a pattern every contending team now mirrors.
The Ask
Cap resale markups on NFL primary-market tickets at 25% above face value through the official Ticketmaster platform, and publish a public report on resale revenue collected by team annually.
Gathering Support
50 more signatures needed to qualify.