Red Sox Hit With Class Action Over Junk Fees On Fenway Park Tickets—Fees Increased Prices Up To 150%, Join Before Time Runs Out

The Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group face a class action lawsuit filed January 16, 2026 alleging they falsely advertised ticket prices by hiding mandatory fees that inflated costs by up to 150%. Anyone who purchased Red Sox tickets between January 16, 2022 and today may be eligible to join the lawsuit and seek compensation.

The complaint alleges the Red Sox used “drip pricing”—showing low prices initially, then adding mandatory “Per-Ticket Fees” and “Order Fees” at checkout that dramatically increased the final cost.

What The Lawsuit Alleges About Hidden Fees

Plaintiffs Damon Campagna, Lily Rose Smith, and Patrick Spaulding claim the Red Sox advertised illusorily low ticket prices on their website and through marketing materials. When customers attempted to purchase those tickets, mandatory fees appeared at the last minute during checkout.

These fees—labeled “Per-Ticket Fees” and “Order Fees”—could increase the purchase price by as much as 150% above the initially advertised amount. A ticket advertised at $50 might actually cost $125 after all mandatory fees were added.

The lawsuit describes this practice as “drip pricing,” a deceptive tactic where companies advertise a low base price but then “drip” in additional mandatory charges throughout the purchase process. By the time customers see the true cost, they’ve already invested time selecting seats and may feel pressured to complete the purchase despite the price increase.

The Red Sox Knew Better—And Changed Their Practices

What makes this lawsuit particularly damning is that the Red Sox voluntarily changed their disclosure practices for part of the 2025 baseball season. The team began revealing the true all-in cost of tickets upfront, proving they were capable of transparent pricing all along.

This shift came after California enacted legislation requiring “all-in pricing” for event tickets. The fact that the Red Sox could and did change their practices when legally required demonstrates the fees were voluntary additions, not unavoidable operational costs.

The lawsuit argues this voluntary change proves the Red Sox knew their previous drip pricing tactics were deceptive but chose to continue them anyway to maximize revenue.

Who Can Join The Class Action

The lawsuit seeks to represent anyone who purchased Red Sox tickets between January 16, 2022 and the present and paid additional fees not included in the initial price advertisements.

This includes tickets purchased for baseball games at Fenway Park and other events held at the stadium. Whether you bought single-game tickets, season tickets, or special event tickets, if you paid hidden fees during the class period, you likely qualify.

The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Case No. 1:26-cv-10182) against Boston Red Sox Baseball Club LP and Fenway Sports Group Holdings LLC.

What Compensation May Be Available

The plaintiffs are suing for violations of Massachusetts and other state consumer protection laws. They’re seeking damages including multiple damages under state consumer fraud statutes, prejudgment interest, and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

Massachusetts consumer protection law allows for double or treble damages when businesses engage in unfair or deceptive practices. This means if you paid $50 in hidden fees, you could potentially recover $100 to $150 in damages.

The exact compensation will depend on how many people join the class action, how much each person paid in hidden fees, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Similar Ticketmaster Faces Billion-Dollar Reckoning Class Action Lawsuit Your Ticket Fees Could Mean Cash Back In 2026 cases involving hidden ticket fees have resulted in substantial settlements.

How Junk Fees Work And Why They’re Deceptive

Junk fees are mandatory charges added to advertised prices that companies could have disclosed upfront but chose to hide. They’re called “junk” because they don’t provide additional value—they’re just mechanisms to make the advertised price appear lower than the actual cost.

In the ticket industry, common junk fees include service fees, processing fees, facility fees, convenience charges, and delivery fees. What makes them particularly problematic is that they’re mandatory—you cannot purchase the ticket without paying these fees—yet they’re hidden from initial price displays.

Red Sox Hit With Class Action Over Junk Fees On Fenway Park Tickets—Fees Increased Prices Up To 150%, Join Before Time Runs Out

The Federal Trade Commission has identified drip pricing as one of the most deceptive practices in consumer transactions. In 2024, the FTC proposed new rules requiring all-in pricing across industries, similar to what California already enacted for event tickets.

How This Fits Into A Broader Pattern

The Red Sox lawsuit is part of a nationwide crackdown on junk fees across industries. Major companies including T-Mobile Class Action Lawsuit Update Hidden Fees, Data Breaches, And Refunds and Verizon Class Action Lawsuit, Customers Getting $15-$100 Checks Right Now—$100M Settlement Payments Hit Accounts In January 2025 have paid hundreds of millions to settle similar hidden fee allegations.

The sports and entertainment ticketing industry faces particular scrutiny. MLB Advanced Media was sued in 2025 in a separate class action over its mobile ticketing app security practices.

What You Should Do Next

If you purchased Red Sox tickets during the class period and paid fees not disclosed in the initial price, gather your documentation now. Save ticket confirmation emails, receipts showing the breakdown of charges, credit card statements, and any promotional materials or screenshots showing the initially advertised prices.

You don’t need to take any immediate action to join the class action—once a class is certified, you’ll automatically be included unless you opt out. However, preserving evidence strengthens the case and ensures you can prove your losses if individual documentation is required for compensation calculations.

If you want to actively participate or have questions about your specific situation, contact consumer protection attorneys handling the case. Class action lawyers typically work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless the case succeeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I’m part of the class?

If you purchased Red Sox tickets between January 16, 2022 and today and paid fees not included in the advertised price, you’re likely part of the class. You’ll receive official notification if the court certifies the class action.

Do I need to do anything right now to join?

Not yet. Class actions operate on an “opt-out” basis—you’re automatically included unless you choose to exclude yourself. Official notification will come after class certification with instructions on how to participate.

What if I don’t have receipts?

Credit card statements showing charges to the Red Sox or their ticketing platform can serve as proof. Confirmation emails from ticket purchases also document the fees paid.

Can I still buy Red Sox tickets while the lawsuit is pending?

Yes. The lawsuit doesn’t prevent you from purchasing tickets. However, be aware that any fees you pay on future purchases could be added to the class claims if they continue the same practices.

How long will this lawsuit take?

Class action lawsuits typically take 2-5 years from filing to resolution. The case was just filed in January 2026, so it will be months before class certification and potentially years before settlement or trial.

Will this change how the Red Sox sell tickets?

Possibly. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, which could require the Red Sox to change their pricing disclosure practices permanently. California’s all-in pricing law already forced temporary changes in 2025.

What if I’ve moved since purchasing tickets?

Keep your contact information current if you receive class action notices. Otherwise, settlement administrators may not be able to locate you when payments are distributed.

Last Updated: January 22, 2026

Disclaimer: This article provides informational content only and does not constitute legal advice.

Take action now: If you purchased Red Sox tickets and paid hidden fees, preserve your documentation and watch for official class action notices about how to participate and claim your compensation.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

Official Sources:

Court Filing: Campagna, et al. v. Boston Red Sox Baseball Club L.P., et al., Case No. 1:26-cv-10182, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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