Concerts, festivals and events: accessible tickets, accommodations and California ticket rules

The short answer

Accessible seats cost no more and go on sale at the same time. Under federal ADA rules, wheelchair spaces and companion seats are sold through the same channels and sales stages as other seats, at every price level, for no more than other seats in the same section.
You may buy up to three companion seats beside you. For each wheelchair space, the seller must offer up to three adjoining seats in the same row, if available.
No doctor's note. A seller cannot demand proof of disability. For a single event it may only ask whether the seat is for someone who needs its accessible features.
Ask early for communication help, at no extra charge. Venues must provide aids such as sign language interpreters, real-time captioning and assistive listening devices when needed, and may not add a surcharge.
Service dogs are allowed; emotional support animals are not covered by the ADA. Staff may ask only two questions about a service dog and may not ask for papers.
In California, check the full price and know the refund rule. State law bars advertised prices that leave out mandatory fees other than government taxes and requires a refund within 30 days when an event is canceled. A 2026 law, AB 1349, targets "ghost" tickets.

Who can buy accessible seats

Two federal regulations cover ticket sales, and their rules are the same. Venues run by state and local governments, such as a city auditorium or a county fairground, follow 28 CFR 35.138. Privately run venues follow 28 CFR 36.302(f). The ADA National Network lists stadiums, concert venues, movie theaters and government-run events among the places covered. The Justice Department's ticket sales guidance adds that tickets a venue gives to third-party sellers, including internet sellers, must include comparable accessible seats.

"Accessible seating" means wheelchair spaces and their companion seats, built to the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. According to the Justice Department, you may buy these seats if:

you use a wheelchair or another mobility device;
you cannot climb steps or walk long distances, for example because of significant arthritis or severe respiratory, circulatory or cardiac conditions; or
you need the seats' features for another disability-related reason. Two examples it gives: you cannot sit in a straight-back chair, or your service dog cannot fit under a standard seat or lie safely in the aisle.

Someone else may buy them for you. People who simply prefer these seats are not entitled to them. "Designated aisle seats," the aisle seats with removable armrests, are not covered by these ticketing rules, so ask the venue how it sells them.

How accessible tickets must be sold

These rules appear in both 28 CFR 35.138 and 28 CFR 36.302(f).

Rule	What it means for you
Same sales	Accessible seats are sold during the same hours, in the same stages (presales, promotions, lotteries, wait-lists and general sales), through the same channels (phone, box office, website and third-party sellers) and on the same terms as other seats.
Information	If you ask, the seller must tell you where unsold accessible seats are and describe their features in enough detail for you to judge whether they meet your needs. Seating maps and price charts must show accessible seats the same way as other seats.
Price	An accessible seat cannot cost more than other seats in the same section, and the same goes for service charges added to the ticket. Accessible seats should be offered at every price level the public can buy.
A price level with no accessible seats	If barriers make it impossible to offer accessible seats at a price level, the venue must offer a proportional share of accessible seats at that price in a nearby or similar accessible location.
Proof	The seller may not require proof of disability, such as a doctor's note, before selling you an accessible seat.

The Justice Department's example: a 1,000-seat venue has 10 accessible seats, and its 200 balcony seats, which a wheelchair user cannot reach, cost $50. The balcony is 20% of the seats, so two accessible seats must be offered at $50 in an accessible location.

Companion seats and groups

Up to three beside you. For each wheelchair space you buy, or someone buys for you, the seller must offer up to three more tickets in the same row, right next to the space, if those seats are available when you buy. It does not have to offer more than three.
If the row is full. If fewer than three adjoining seats are left, the seller must offer the ones that remain and then seats as close as possible to your space. The venue need not change the price of those seats.
Purchase limits. If everyone is limited to fewer than four tickets, the same limit applies to you. If others may buy more than four, you may buy the same maximum, counting your wheelchair space.
Groups. A group that includes someone who needs accessible seating should, where possible, be seated together in an area with accessible seats. If the group must be split, the person using the wheelchair space should not be isolated from the group.

Holds, resale and what a seller may ask

When accessible seats can be sold to anyone

A venue may release unsold accessible seats to the general public only when:

all other seats for the event are sold, not counting luxury boxes, club boxes and suites;
all other seats in a designated seating area are sold, and the accessible seats released are in that same area; or
all other seats in a price category are sold, and the accessible seats released are in that same category.

The venue never has to release them, so if a show looks sold out, ask whether accessible seats remain. For season tickets, a venue must stop accessible seats bought by people who did not need them from renewing automatically to the same buyers.

Transfers and resale

You may transfer an accessible ticket on the same terms as anyone else. The Justice Department says that means "to anyone, including someone who does not have a disability." If you bought a resale ticket for a seat you cannot use, the venue must let you exchange it for a comparable accessible seat if one is vacant when you present the ticket. It does not have to move another patron to make room.

The questions a seller may ask

Single event: whether you, or the person you are buying for, have a mobility disability or a disability that requires the accessible features of the seat.
Season or series tickets: a written statement (an attestation) that the seat is for a person with such a disability.
Not allowed: requiring proof of disability, such as a doctor's note, before selling you the seat.

A venue may investigate when it has good cause to believe accessible seats were bought fraudulently, and may warn that fraud can lead to relocation. It should not use fraud checks to steer people with disabilities to particular seats.

Interpreters, captioning and listening help

The ADA requires businesses that serve the public (Title III) and state and local governments (Title II) to provide "auxiliary aids and services" when they are needed to communicate effectively with people who have hearing, vision or speech disabilities. It also covers companions with these disabilities, such as a deaf friend who attends with you. The Justice Department's effective communication guidance gives examples:

qualified sign language, oral, cued-speech or tactile interpreters;
real-time captioning, also called CART, which types spoken words onto a screen;
assistive listening systems and devices; and
qualified readers, Braille, large print and documents that work with screen readers.

The main rules:

No extra charge. A business may not place a surcharge on a person with a disability to cover the cost of aids like these (28 CFR 36.301(c)).
Your view counts. A private venue should consult you and makes the final choice, as long as the result is effective communication. A government-run venue must give "primary consideration" to the aid you ask for, unless another equally effective aid exists or your choice would cause an undue burden or a fundamental alteration.
Notice. A venue may ask for reasonable advance notice, but not excessive notice. It should honor walk-in requests where it can.
You do not have to bring your own interpreter. A venue cannot require it. A friend or relative may interpret only in limited cases, such as when you ask for it, they agree, and relying on them is appropriate.
Limits. A venue need not provide an aid that would be an undue burden (significant difficulty or expense), but must then provide another effective aid if it can. The "fundamental alteration" defense applies only in rare cases, such as slowing the action on stage to describe a performance.
Video interpreting. A venue may use video remote interpreting if the video and audio are clear and in real time, the image shows the interpreter's face, arms, hands and fingers, and staff can set it up. If you cannot see the screen from your seat, an on-site interpreter may be required.

Service animals, support animals and mobility devices

The rules below come from 28 CFR 36.302(c), which covers private venues, and the Justice Department's service animal questions and answers.

Animal	Allowed at venues under the ADA?	Notes
A dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability	Yes. This is a "service animal."	It may go wherever the public may go. A dog trained to sense an oncoming anxiety attack and act to lessen it counts; a dog whose presence only comforts you does not.
A miniature horse individually trained to do work or perform tasks	Yes, where reasonable. The venue must make reasonable modifications to allow it.	The venue may consider the horse's size and weight, whether the facility can accommodate it, whether it is housebroken and under control, and safety.
An emotional support, comfort, therapy or companion animal	No. It is not a service animal under the ADA.	They are not trained for specific tasks. Some state or local laws may cover them; check the venue's policy.

What staff may and may not do with a service dog:

Two questions only, and only when it is not obvious what the dog does: is the dog required because of a disability, and what work or task has it been trained to perform? Staff may not ask about your disability, ask for a demonstration, or require certification, training records or licensing.
No vest or ID needed. Online certificates and registrations give no rights under the ADA.
Control. The dog must be under your control, generally on a harness, leash or tether unless that would interfere with its work or your disability prevents it.
Removal. Staff may ask you to remove the dog only if it is out of control and you do not act, or it is not housebroken; you may still attend without it. Allergies or fear of dogs are not reasons to exclude it.
No pet fees. No surcharge is allowed, though you may be charged for damage if the venue charges others for damage.
Other rules still apply. Service dogs must follow local licensing and vaccination rules for all dogs, and the venue does not have to care for the dog.

Wheelchairs, scooters and other devices

Wheelchairs, manual or powered (including electric scooters), and aids such as walkers, crutches and canes must be allowed anywhere the public may go. The Justice Department's mobility device guidance covers "other power-driven mobility devices," such as Segways and golf cars:

A venue must allow them unless that type of device cannot be operated there safely. The decision must rest on actual risks, not assumptions.
It may weigh the device's size and speed, crowding and the venue's design. Combustion-engine devices may be excluded indoors and in crowded outdoor areas.
It may ask for a credible assurance that you need the device because of a disability. A valid state disability parking placard counts, and so does your own statement unless staff see something that contradicts it. Staff may not ask about your disability.
Venues are encouraged to publish their device rules, so check the event's website.

How to ask for what you need, step by step

Read the event's accessibility information. Check the venue's and official seller's websites. If you cannot find it, ask the box office where unsold accessible seats are and what features they have.
Buy accessible and companion seats together, through any channel the public can use. Expect at most one question, or a written statement for season tickets.
Ask for communication aids in writing as early as you can. Name the aid you use (for example, an American Sign Language interpreter or real-time captioning), the event date and your seat. Keep a copy.
Plan for your service dog or device. You do not need papers for a service dog. If you use a power-driven device other than a wheelchair, read the venue's policy and bring your disability placard if you have one.
If something goes wrong on the day, ask for a supervisor or the venue's accessibility contact. Write down names, times and what was said.
If it is not fixed, call the ADA Information Line or file a complaint with the Justice Department (see Where to get free help).

Prices, fees and refunds: California law

The ADA rules above are federal. On prices and refunds, California adds a general price law and a ticket-seller law (Business and Professions Code sections 22500 and following). These descriptions come from committee analyses prepared for the Legislature in 2024–2026.

Full price up front. SB 478 (Chapter 400, Statutes of 2023) made it an unlawful practice under California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act to advertise or offer a price that leaves out mandatory fees or charges, other than government-imposed taxes (Assembly Arts committee analysis, 2025). It applies to any advertised price, including tickets.
Service charges disclosed. Ticket sellers' ads must disclose that a service charge is added to the ticket price (section 22508).
Refunds. If an event is canceled, the ticket seller must refund the ticket price within 30 days. If it is postponed, rescheduled or replaced, you can ask for a refund, which must be paid within 30 days (section 22507).
Tickets that never arrive. A seller that fails to supply a ticket at or below the contracted price is liable to the buyer for "two times the contracted price of the ticket" (section 22502.3), which AB 1349 amended.
Reselling at the venue. Penal Code section 346 bars reselling a ticket above its face value on the grounds of an event without the written permission of the owner or operator of the property (Senate Judiciary Committee analysis, June 2026).

The 2026 law on "ghost" tickets: AB 1349

Governor Newsom signed AB 1349 on September 27, 2026; it is Chapter 474, Statutes of 2026. According to CalMatters, the law:

bans selling tickets the seller does not yet own, often called speculative or "ghost" tickets;
bars using software to get around a venue's purchase limits;
requires resellers to "implement reasonable measures" to prevent speculative tickets; and
makes violators subject to misdemeanor charges and penalties.

The Senate Judiciary Committee's June 2026 analysis also describes bans on confusing look-alike websites and domain names, and on claiming an event is "sold out" while the original or an authorized seller still has tickets.

Two cautions. The bill was amended again in late August 2026, and the Governor's signing statement asked lawmakers to revisit a carve-out that may exempt some resale marketplaces, so check the chaptered text before relying on a detail. And most new California laws take effect on January 1 of the following year; confirm this law's start date (see how new California laws take effect). Until it starts, the older rules apply.

What did not become law

SB 785 (2023–24), an earlier bill that would have tightened the rules for ticket sellers, including a ban on speculative sales, did not pass. The Assembly moved it to its inactive file on August 26, 2024, and it never reached the Governor (LegiScan record; Assembly committee analysis, July 2024). A 2026 proposal to cap resale markups at 10%, AB 1720, stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee in August, CalMatters reported. Neither became law.

Federal rules on fees, bots and resale

The BOTS Act. The Better Online Ticket Sales Act (15 U.S.C. 45c), signed in December 2016, prohibits using automated "bots" to get around ticket purchase limits. It also bars selling or offering a ticket obtained that way if the seller took part in the violation, had the ability to control it, or should have known about it (Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee analysis, 2025).
The 2025 executive order. On March 31, 2025, the President signed an order titled "Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Market." It directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce the BOTS Act, work with the Attorney General on competition, and make sure prices are clear at every stage of a purchase, including resale. It directs agencies; it does not by itself give you a new right against a seller.
The FTC fee rule. The FTC's "Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees" is part of the current federal regulations at 16 CFR Part 464, with sections titled "Hidden fees prohibited," "Misleading fees prohibited" and "Relation to State laws." Read the rule's definitions for the businesses and prices it covers. California's own all-in price rule applies either way.

Spotting ticket scams

No single sign proves a scam. These checks follow practices the law prohibits:

Start from the official source. Go to the venue's or performer's own website and follow its link to the official seller. California's 2026 law targets confusing look-alike websites.
Be wary of tickets listed before the public sale. The seller may not have them, and AB 1349 bans selling tickets the seller does not yet own.
Check "sold out" claims. Before you pay a reseller's price, check whether the original seller still has tickets.
Compare the first price with the final price. In California, an advertised price must include mandatory fees other than government taxes. A price that jumps at checkout is a reason to stop.
Ask for the seat location. California's ticket-seller law already includes seat-location disclosure rules, and the 2026 law targets listings that claim a specific seat without a reasonable basis.
Be careful buying outside the gates. Reselling above face value on event grounds without the property owner's written permission is barred by Penal Code section 346.
Do not trust star ratings alone. Reviews of resale sites and sellers can be fake; see how to spot fake reviews.
Need an accessible seat? If a resale ticket is for a seat you cannot use, ask the venue to exchange it for a vacant accessible seat. The ADA requires the exchange when a comparable seat is available.

If you think you were scammed

Contact the seller or website first, in writing. Keep screenshots of the listing, price and receipt.
If that fails, complain to your state. USAGov's guide to complaints about online purchases points to your state consumer protection office or your state attorney general. Its directory of state offices lists the California Department of Consumer Affairs for California.
Report the scam. USAGov points scam reports to the FTC, or to econsumer.gov when the seller is outside the United States. Its "where to report a scam" tool asks a few questions and points you to the right agency.

On the day: safety and getting help

Large events can mean heat, crowds, noise and long walks. Plan ahead:

Check heat alerts. For outdoor events, see what heat watches, warnings and advisories mean. If you take daily medicines, read medicines that can raise your risk in a heat wave, which lists warning signs of heat illness and when to call 911.
Find help when you arrive. Locate the first-aid or medical station, guest services and accessible entrances and restrooms, and agree on a meeting point. Take access problems, such as a missing interpreter, to guest services.
Call 911 in an emergency. If someone collapses, has trouble breathing or seems seriously ill or injured, call 911, then alert the nearest staff member or security officer.
Take health questions to your clinician. If you have a heart or lung condition, take medicines that affect how you handle heat, or are concerned about loud sound for yourself or a child, ask your own clinician before the event.

Where to get free help

ADA Information Line, U.S. Department of Justice: 800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TTY), Monday through Friday. Confidential answers on how the ADA applies to you and how to file a complaint.
Justice Department complaint: file a complaint online on the Civil Rights Division's website (civilrights.justice.gov) or by mail. The department may refer it to its voluntary, confidential ADA Mediation Program or to another agency, and it says its review can take up to three months.
ADA National Network: 1-800-949-4232 (voice and relay) or adata.org, which can also point you to the ADA center for your region. Its ticketing fact sheet summarizes your rights.
Ticket and price complaints: the seller first; then the California Department of Consumer Affairs or your state attorney general; and the FTC for scams, through the USAGov pages above.
Health questions: your own clinician. In an emergency, call 911.

Sources

28 CFR 35.138, Ticketing — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (Office of the Federal Register), accessed October 29, 2026.
28 CFR 36.302, Modifications in policies, practices, or procedures — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (Office of the Federal Register), Title 28 up to date as of October 22, 2026, accessed October 29, 2026.
28 CFR Part 36, Subpart C, Specific Requirements (sections 36.301, 36.303 and 36.311) — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (Office of the Federal Register), accessed October 29, 2026.
ADA Requirements: Ticket Sales — U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (ADA.gov), last updated February 28, 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA — U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (ADA.gov), last updated February 28, 2020.
ADA Requirements: Effective Communication — U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (ADA.gov), last updated February 28, 2020.
ADA Requirements: Wheelchairs, Mobility Aids, and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices — U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (ADA.gov), last updated February 28, 2020.
File a Complaint — U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (ADA.gov), accessed October 29, 2026.
Ticketing (fact sheet) — ADA National Network, 2017, accessed October 29, 2026.
AB 1349 (Bryan), Consumer protection: ticket sellers, bill analysis (version of June 26, 2026) — California State Senate, Judiciary Committee, hearing of June 30, 2026.
AB 1349 (Bryan) bill analysis, as amended April 9, 2025 — California State Assembly, Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection, hearing of April 22, 2025.
AB 1349 (Bryan) bill analysis, as introduced February 21, 2025 — California State Assembly, Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism, 2025.
SB 785 (Caballero) bill analysis, as amended June 27, 2024 — California State Assembly, Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection, hearing of July 2, 2024.
CA AB1349, 2025–2026 Regular Session: Consumer protection: ticket sellers (bill status) — LegiScan, accessed October 29, 2026.
CA SB785, 2023–2024 Regular Session: Consumer protection: ticket sellers (bill status) — LegiScan, accessed October 29, 2026.
New California law targets expensive 'ghost tickets' to concerts and sporting events — CalMatters (Lynn La), September 27, 2026, updated September 29, 2026.
16 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter D, Trade Regulation Rules (Part 464, Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees) — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (Office of the Federal Register), Title 16 up to date as of October 22, 2026, accessed October 29, 2026.
Where to file a complaint about an online purchase — USAGov, U.S. General Services Administration, last updated November 13, 2025.
Learn where to report a scam — USAGov, U.S. General Services Administration, accessed October 29, 2026.
State consumer protection offices — USAGov, U.S. General Services Administration, accessed October 29, 2026.