Massachusetts Bill Named After Noah Kahan Targets Ticket Resale Fees, Draws Praise and Skepticism

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has unveiled the Great Divide Act, a bill named after Noah Kahan's 2026 album that aims to cap ticket resale prices and slash fees on secondary platforms. The legislation, announced with the backing of the Vermont-born singer, is designed to close the gap between original ticket prices and the inflated costs on the resale market, according to the Lowell Sun and Sentinel and Enterprise.

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Lowell SunGov. Healey channels Noah Kahan’s ‘Great Divide’ energy in fight to lower ticket pricesSentinel and EnterpriseGov. Healey channels Noah Kahan’s ‘Great Divide’ energy in fight to lower ticket prices

"I love my fans and want to protect them."

BillboardNoah Kahan Endorses Mass. Bill to Cap Ticket Resale Prices: ‘I Love My Fans and Want to Protect Them’

Kahan's endorsement, reported by Billboard, underscores his longstanding activism around ticketing reform. The Great Divide Act would impose limits on how much secondary sellers like StubHub can charge above face value, a move Kahan framed as a defense of fans from predatory practices. The bill's name directly references his 2026 album, signaling a personal stake in the fight.

Yet the measure has drawn sharp criticism even as it wins praise. According to the Lowell Sun and Sentinel and Enterprise, critics have slammed the bill for "giving the Ticketmaster monopoly a pass" by focusing only on resale platforms and leaving primary market practices untouched. The outlets noted that some argue the legislation does nothing to address Ticketmaster's dominant role in setting original prices and fees.

"Critics slam the bill for giving the Ticketmaster monopoly a pass."

The tension reflects a broader debate in consumer advocacy: whether targeting secondary markets without reforming primary ticketing giants like Ticketmaster offers real relief to fans. Healey's office has framed the act as a necessary first step, but opponents worry it may create a false sense of progress. Kahan, meanwhile, has urged Massachusetts lawmakers to act quickly, though the bill's path through the state legislature remains uncertain.