Reps. Goldman, Deluzio Introduce Legislation to Improve Affordability of Stadium Concessions

‘Honest Oversight of Ticketed Dining and Onsite Grub (HOTDOG) Act’ Would Direct FTC to Investigate Concession Price Gouging at Sports Stadiums

Despite Public Subsidies of Stadiums, Going to Ball Games Unaffordable for Working Families

Stadiums Concessions Charge New York Captive Audiences Double the Street Price, Despite Receiving Billions in Public Subsidies

Washington, DC - U.S. Representatives Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Chris Deluzio (PA-17) introduced the Honest Oversight of Ticketed Dining and Onsite Grub (HOTDOG) Act to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a nationwide study of concession pricing practices at sports venues.

Despite the significant public investment into sports venues, the cost of many concessions remains unaffordable for the average American family. The average beer at Madison Square Garden in New York City costs $16. At Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, beer costs nearly $10, double the price fans would pay elsewhere. The average lowest price for a hot dog across MLB’s 30 ballparks in 2024 was nearly $6. Working families should be able to afford to take a break and see a game – at venues supported by their tax dollars – without facing massive price markups. For example, taxpayers paid $1.2 billion for Yankee Stadium, while Madison Square Garden receives an estimated $42 million annually from New York City through a property tax exemption. 

Working families are already struggling to pay rising prices thanks to Trump's reckless economic agenda, and being charged inflated prices for concessions at publicly funded stadiums adds insult to injury. The HOTDOG Act would shine a much-needed light on exploitative pricing practices and allow the FTC, lawmakers, and most importantly, working families, to gain more transparency into potential price gouging by venues and determine best practices for affordable pricing.

“We’ve got to ensure that hardworking families can afford to enjoy nights out at ball games - especially when their hard-earned tax dollars are supporting big sporting projects across the state and country,” said Congressman Goldman. "That’s why I’m leading legislation to push to ensure that we have a better understanding of how stadiums and sports organizations are pricing concessions. Federal dollars should be used for the benefit of the people, not just the benefit of the corporations or the owners.”

"One of life’s great joys is a hot dog and a cold beer or pop watching the Black and Gold. But concessions at pro stadiums across the country have become a ripoff, with so many teams pricing out fans and families," said Congressman Deluzio. "Congressman Goldman and I are introducing the HOTDOG Act to require the Federal Trade Commission to find ways to stop this price gouging. People should be able to go enjoy a game and grab a bite or a drink without breaking the bank."

The HOTDOG Act would direct the FTC to evaluate pricing practices at professional sports stadiums that were constructed or are operated with public subsidy funds. The FTC would examine the prices of comparable food and drinks inside and outside stadiums; pricing practices such as dynamic pricing, service fees, and promotions; transparency of concession prices to consumers, and other types of pricing policies. The bill requires the FTC to issue a report to Congress detailing the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative, regulatory, or industry action to improve affordability and transparency.

“Any American who's been to the ballpark or a concert recently knows that, too often, a stop by the snack counter can feel like a shakedown,” said Alex Jacquez, Chief of Policy and Advocacy at Groundwork Collaborative. “Working families are already struggling to pay rising prices thanks to Trump's reckless economic agenda, and being charged inflated prices for concessions at publicly-funded facilities adds insult to injury. Rep. Goldman’s legislation would bring much-needed transparency to pricing practices at stadiums and other venues so Americans can enjoy their favorite pastimes without feeling ripped off."

"For too long, fans have been gouged at the concession stand in the same venues built with their own tax dollars,” said Brian Hess, Executive Director, Sports Fans Coalition. “The HOTDOG Act will shine a much-needed light on exploitative pricing practices and help identify solutions that make attending games affordable for working families again. When taxpayers invest hundreds of millions into stadiums, they deserve transparency about why a hot dog costs three times what it does on the street outside. We applaud Representatives Goldman and Deluzio for taking this important first step toward holding venues accountable and making game day affordable for American families."

"Public Citizen is singularly focused on fighting for everyday Americans—especially during an affordability crisis that is stretching family budgets to the breaking point,” said Joshua Miller, Director of Congress Watch at Public Citizen. “When taxpayers help finance stadiums and arenas, working families should not be priced out of attending games or gouged once they walk through the door. This bill is about fairness, transparency, and basic respect for the public."

Earlier this year, Rep. Goldman led a letter with nine House Democrats to urge the House Appropriations Committee to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate stadium and airport food prices to increase transparency and prevent potential price gouging practices.

The HOTDOG Act is endorsed by Groundwork Collaborative, Sports Fan Coalition, and Public Citizen. 

Original cosponsors include Reps. Troy Carter (LA-02), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Chuy García (IL-04), and Robert Garcia (CA-42).

The HOTDOG ACT is the latest effort by Congressman Goldman to address the nation’s affordability crisis.

This month, Goldman introduced the ‘Redistribution of Billions by Instituting New High-Income Obligations on Overlooked Debt (ROBINHOOD) Act,’ which would close the billionaire tax loophole by applying a 20% excise tax on loans and lines of credit backed by capital assets. By making the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share, the bill would generate more than $276 billion to invest in universal pre-K, child care, and working families.