Section 1 Short title
This Act may cited as the “Honest Oversight of Ticketed Dining and Onsite Grub Act” or the “HOTDOG Act”.
Honest Oversight of Ticketed Dining and Onsite Grub Act
A BILL
To direct the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study on certain concession pricing practices, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Findings
Congress finds the following:
Many sports venues receive significant public investments through direct grants, State and local tax credits, economic development incentives, and tax-exempt bonds.
In 2025, the cost of concessions at major sporting events and concerts are unaffordable for the average American family.
At Madison Square Garden, the average price of a beer is $16, more than twice the average in New York City, making it the third most expensive among NBA arenas.
At Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, beer costs $10 on average, which is double the price fans would pay at a nearby bar across the street.
Fans across music concerts and professional sports, including the National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, and Major League Baseball, face exorbitant concession prices in addition to already high-ticket costs.
Street pricing, a model that aligns concession pricing inside a venue with prices for comparable items in surrounding communities, has been adopted by certain venues to make concessions more affordable, producing benefits for both businesses and consumers.
Fans and travelers attending events at venues supported by their tax dollars deserve clear, transparent, and fair pricing of food and beverage concessions.
Sec. 3 Study on concession pricing practices
In general— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall conduct a study with respect to concession pricing practices at a nationwide sample of covered venues that includes information relating to the following:
The price of food and drink items offered for sale by such venues.
A comparison between such prices and the price of the same or similar food and drink items offered for sale by the communities surrounding such venues, including bars and restaurants.
Pricing practices at such venues, including the use of any of the following by such venues:
Dynamic pricing.
Service fees.
Promotions such as value deals.
The extent to which such venues disclose the price of food and drink items offered for sale by such venues prior to purchase, including by listing such prices online and disclosing such prices at the point of entry of such venues.
Consumer-friendly pricing policies that balance consumer access to affordable food and drink items with the cost of venue operations, including price caps on the price of such food and drink items and menu options for such food and drink items offered at a reduced price.
Report— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report that includes information relating to the following:
The results of the study conducted under subsection (a).
Recommendations for legislative, regulatory, and industry action with respect to improving affordability and transparency with respect to concession pricing practices.
Definitions— In this section:
Commission— The term “Commission” means the Federal Trade Commission.
Covered venue— The term “covered venue” means a stadium or arena that—
is used for a professional sports exhibition or game, a music concert, or any other comparable event (as determined by the Commission) for at least 5 days per year;
was constructed or operated with funds from a public subsidy, including funds from a direct grant, a State or local tax credit, an economic development incentive, or a tax-exempt bond;
requires ticketed entry for consumers; and
offers food and drink items for sale to such consumers.
State— The term “State” means each State of the United States, the District of Columbia, each commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States, and each federally recognized Indian Tribe.