SeatGeek Class Action Lawsuit: Ticketing Site Accused of Hiding Fees

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims SeatGeek misled consumers with hidden fees and deceptive pricing practices, violating consumer protection laws.

Consumers Affected: Consumers who purchased tickets through SeatGeek.

Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada

Ticket selling giant SeatGeek “ambushes” consumers buying tickets to events with hidden junk fees, a new lawsuit claims. 

According to the lawsuit, the company advertises fee-less ticket prices, strings consumers along several checkout screens, and continues to represent an artificially low price as consumers input their credit card information, billing information, and ticket delivery information. 

“Then, on the very final confirmation screen, in tiny grey font on the right corner of the screen, far away from the “Place Order” button, SeatGeek sneaks in an eye-popping 35 percent fee,” the lawsuit alleges.

The complaint claims SeatGeek’s methods violate state consumer protection laws and have caused financial harm to buyers.

“In the context of a Vegas magic show, such a sleight-of-hand would likely get met with applause.  But in the context of an online transaction, it tricks consumers into paying fees they never noticed and never agreed to, in violation of various Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act provisions.”

SeatGeek's Hidden Fees Surprise Consumers, Lawsuit Claims

Las Vegas resident Mars Carbonell filed the proposed class action lawsuit after he purchased tickets for a Maluma concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas through SeatGeek. During the checkout process, SeatGeek prominently displayed a fee-less price across several screens, before charging him the 35% fee in the final stages.

Carbonell alleges he was unaware of the fee when completing the purchase and was unable to compare prices with other sellers due to the lack of upfront disclosure. He argues this lack of transparency harmed him financially and wasted his time.

New Laws Target Drip Pricing and Junk Fees

The lawsuit highlights a growing crackdown on “junk fees,” which are often hidden until the last steps of online transactions. Nevada recently enacted a ticket reseller law requiring platforms to disclose the total price of tickets, including all fees, upfront. The complaint alleges SeatGeek’s pricing practices violate this statute.

On a national level, federal agencies and lawmakers are also addressing these fees. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a rule to ban deceptive pricing tactics like drip pricing. Meanwhile, Congress has introduced the Junk Fee Prevention Act, which, if passed, would mandate clear disclosure of all costs at the start of any transaction.

Behavioral economists, cited in the lawsuit, argue that drip pricing exploits consumers’ psychological investment in a purchase, often leading them to accept unexpected fees rather than abandon their transaction. Regulators want to prevent this manipulation by ensuring full price transparency.

Ticketing Platforms Face Legal Challenges Over Pricing Practices

SeatGeek is not alone in facing legal challenges, and it’s also not the first legal challenge they’ve faced over the issue. Other ticketing companies, including StubHub, Live Nation, and Ticketmaster, are under scrutiny for similar practices. 

In California, StubHub is being sued for allegedly misleading customers about final costs. Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation, face class action lawsuits and antitrust claims accusing them of inflating prices through monopolistic practices.

These cases underscore a broader effort to address hidden fees and anti-competitive behavior in the live event ticketing industry. With consumers demanding greater transparency, lawmakers and regulators are increasingly pushing for reforms to protect buyers from unfair pricing tactics.

In the SeatGeek class action lawsuit, Carbonell is suing on behalf of consumers nationwide for alleged violation of the Nevada Revised Statutes § 598.39795. He is seeking injunctive relief, damages, and fees and costs. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Carbonell v. SeatGeek, Inc. 
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-02087
• Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Michael Gayan (Kemp Jones, LLP) 
• Philip L. Fraietta and Stefan Bogdanovich (Bursor & Fisher, P.A.)

Have you purchased tickets through SeatGeek? Share your experience with their pricing and fees in the comments below.