ResaleCap

D.C. Law 26-181 · RESALE Act

DC ticket resale cap

From 1 January 2027, a resale ticket for a covered DC event may cost at most its original all-in price plus 10%. A resale site may add its own fee of up to 10% of that original price on top, so about 120% in total for most digital tickets. Reasonable shipping for physical tickets can be extra, and the Mayor may adjust the caps from 1 January 2028.

Applies from 1 Jan 2027 The act took effect on September 25, 2026; it applies as of January 1, 2027.

DC cap starts in

Days
Hrs
Min

D.C. Law 26-181 § 4: “This act shall apply as of January 1, 2027.” The act took effect on 25 September 2026; the cap does not apply before 1 January 2027.

Admit oneResale price checkNo. 000000
Where is the event?
What was paid at first sale, with every fee and tax.
That price is for

Optional: check a listing

The total the buyer pays, as shown at checkout.
The marketplace’s own fee, if the listing itemizes it. Same basis as the listing price.
Listing price is for

The rules on one stub

  • Base

    The total price of the initial ticket, including all fees and taxes (§ 28-5506(b)).

  • +10% seller

    A reseller or exchange may not sell above the base plus up to 10% of the base (§ 28-5506(b)).

  • +10% fee

    The exchange’s own marketplace fee may be added, at most 10% of the base (§ 28-5506(c)).

  • Not covered

    Movie screenings, and sporting events organized by a DC-based professional or college team, or by a professional athletic association with an event in DC (§ 28-5501(6)).

What the text says

“a reseller or secondary ticket exchange shall not sell or offer to sell a ticket that exceeds the total price of the initial ticket, including all fees and taxes in connection with the initial ticket, plus up to 10% of the total price of the initial ticket, including all fees and taxes in connection with the initial ticket.”

§ 28-5506(b)

“A secondary ticket exchange may charge a fee for the service of providing a marketplace for the resale of a ticket, which may be in addition to any fees described in subsection (b) of this section; provided, that the fee shall not exceed 10% of the total price of the initial ticket, including all fees and taxes in connection with the initial ticket.”

§ 28-5506(c)

“provided, that the event is not a sporting event organized by a professional or intercollegiate sports team located in the District or professional athletic association with an event located in the District; provided further, that the event is not a motion picture screening.”

§ 28-5501(6)

“A secondary ticket exchange shall, prior to a ticket being resold or offered to be resold: … Disclose the original purchase price of the ticket, including all fees and taxes in connection with the initial purchase price of the ticket.”

§ 28-5506(a)(2)

“This act shall apply as of January 1, 2027.”

D.C. Law 26-181 § 4

Unclear or unverified

  • Shipping. § 28-5502(b) lets a listing add reasonable shipping for physical tickets on top of the disclosed total. Whether shipping may also sit on top of the cap is not stated in § 28-5506. This calculator leaves shipping out.
  • Rounding. The law gives percentages, not a rounding rule. ResaleCap rounds every maximum down to the cent, so the number shown is never above the legal limit.
  • Sports at DC venues. Home games of District-based professional and college teams are outside the law. Whether other sports events (for example a touring league or a team from outside DC) are covered depends on who organizes them. Unverified: check the organizer.
  • Future changes. From January 1, 2028 the Mayor may move the price cap to between 0% and 20% over the original price, and the fee cap to between 5% and 20% (§ 28-5507(b)). ResaleCap uses the statutory 10% and 10% until a rule is published.
  • Implementing rules. § 28-5507(a) says the Mayor shall issue rules. None were found on the date checked.

Sources

Last checked against the primary source: .

How to report a violation

Keep screenshots of the listing, the itemized price and your original receipt.

Check by venue

DC resale law: questions

How is the DC resale cap calculated?

Take the total price of the original ticket, including all fees and taxes. The seller may ask at most that plus 10%. The exchange may add a fee of at most 10% of the same original total. Example: a $150.00 ticket can be resold for up to $165.00, plus an exchange fee of up to $15.00, so the buyer pays at most $180.00.

When does the RESALE Act apply?

On 1 January 2027 (D.C. Law 26-181 § 4). The law itself became effective on 25 September 2026.

Which events are not covered?

Sporting events organized by a professional or intercollegiate sports team located in DC, or by a professional athletic association with an event located in DC, and movie screenings (§ 28-5501(6)).

Does the listing have to show the original price?

Yes. Before a ticket is resold, the secondary ticket exchange must disclose the original purchase price including all fees and taxes (§ 28-5506(a)(2)). Listings must also show the total price and an itemized list of charges (§ 28-5502(a)).

Do resellers need a licence in DC?

A reseller that posts 50 or more resale listings a year needs a licence from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection and a $25,000 surety bond (§ 47-2890.02). This does not change the price cap.

Can the 10% limits change?

The Mayor may adjust them by rule, but not before 1 January 2028, and only within limits: the price cap between 0% and 20% over the original price, and the exchange fee between 5% and 20% (§ 28-5507(b)).

What happens to a seller who breaks the cap?

A violation is a Class 2 civil infraction and an unlawful trade practice under § 28-3904, on top of what the Attorney General can do under § 28-3909 (§ 28-5508).