New Decrees impose immediate obligations on event organizers and ticket-selling platforms

In summary

On September 1st, 2026, two decrees were published that have a direct impact on the events industry: Decree No. 13,108/2026, which regulates the Consumer Protection Code regarding ticket sales, and Decree No. 13,109/2026, which establishes measures for access to drinking water at events open to the public. The obligations regarding drinking water are already in effect, with no grace period, and the technological requirements applicable to ticket sales and resale platforms will take effect on September 21, 2026.

Recommendations

The decrees impose structural changes on event operations, the ticket-purchasing process, and pricing policies, with very short deadlines for implementation and a significant risk of fines from agencies within the National Consumer Protection System. We recommend conducting an immediate compliance assessment, reviewing contracts with venues, platforms, suppliers, and security companies, and documenting the measures adopted. Our team can assist in identifying the obligations applicable to your business model, prioritizing adjustments before the regulations take effect, and liaising with consumer protection authorities.

Decree No. 13,108/2026 – Ticket sales

Decree No. 13,108/2026 regulates the Consumer Protection Code regarding the sale of tickets and applies to box offices, websites, mobile apps, and the secondary resale market. Among the key points to note, we highlight:

• Official sales platforms: Requirement for mechanisms to prevent bulk and automated ticket purchases, individualized linking, traceability, and authenticity, as well as specific protections for high-demand events.
• Secondary market: New transparency requirements regarding face value, seller identification, and the unofficial nature of the channel, with an obligation to remove irregular listings and adopt measures to discourage speculative resale.
• Additional fees: Prohibition on double charges or charges without a corresponding service, and a duty to provide clear and itemized information at all stages of the purchase.
• Other areas: Specific rules regarding half-price tickets, lines, and ticket windows; temporary ticket reservation during checkout; the right of withdrawal; free transfer of ticket ownership; and full refunds in the event of cancellation, postponement, or significant changes to the event.

The effective dates are staggered, and the scope of the obligations varies significantly depending on the role played in the sales chain, which requires a case-by-case analysis.

Decree No. 13,109/2026 – Access to drinking water at events

Decree No. 13,109/2026 establishes measures aimed at ensuring access to drinking water and protecting consumer health, covering festivals, concerts, fairs, conferences, and sporting or cultural events — whether free or paid, and held indoors or outdoors. Among the key points to note, we highlight the following:

• Admission with Personal Containers: Organizers must allow consumers to enter with bottles and containers for personal use containing drinking water; restrictions are permitted only in specific, pre-announced circumstances.
• Large-scale events: Events expected to draw an audience of more than 1,000 people now have additional obligations to provide drinking water free of charge and to ensure the availability of first-aid and emergency response services.
• Sales and pricing: The sale of beverages on-site does not exempt organizers from these new obligations, and the prices charged may be monitored by consumer protection agencies.

Whether an event qualifies as open to the public, the scale of the required infrastructure, and the limits of permissible restrictions depend on a case-by-case assessment. Failure to comply with both decrees subjects those responsible to penalties under the Consumer Protection Code, without prejudice to other applicable measures.