People attending concerts, festivals, fairs and other cultural events in Brazil will face a different set of consumer rules after two federal decrees published on September 1, 2026. The measures address both the way tickets are sold and the conditions offered to audiences inside event venues.
Decree No. 13,108/2026 establishes requirements for ticket sales and resale, including clearer information about prices and additional fees, identification of official sales channels and measures against automated or speculative purchases. Decree No. 13,109/2026 sets rules for access to drinking water at events open to the public, including free water requirements for activities expected to receive more than 1,000 people.
The changes apply to cultural events held in open or enclosed spaces and are relevant to both paid and free activities. For consumers, the rules cover the experience from the initial ticket search through entry, attendance and possible changes to the event schedule.
What changes in ticket sales
Under Decree No. 13,108/2026, organizers and ticketing companies must provide transparent information about the total price of admission and any additional charges. The measure also requires consumers to be able to identify official sales channels, an important point in a market affected by unauthorized resale and uncertainty about the legitimacy of online offers.
The decree also addresses automated and speculative purchasing practices. These provisions are intended to limit the use of mechanisms that acquire large numbers of tickets or interfere with access by ordinary consumers. The rules cover procedures involving virtual queues, including information about a customer’s position and the estimated waiting time.
According to the Brazilian Ministry of Culture, the regulation also includes provisions related to half-price tickets, transfers of ticket ownership and situations in which an event is canceled, postponed or substantially changed.
Options when an event is canceled or postponed
One of the most practical effects of the new rules concerns changes to the event itself. When a concert or festival is canceled, postponed or subject to a relevant alteration, consumers may choose among options such as attending a new date, receiving credit or obtaining a full refund, according to the information published by the Ministry of Culture.
This framework gives audiences clearer alternatives when the service purchased is not delivered as originally announced. It also places greater importance on communication by organizers, who must provide accurate information about changes and the procedures available to ticket holders.
The decree’s provisions on half-price admission and ticket transfers may also affect consumers who buy tickets for other people or who are unable to attend an event. The detailed application of these rules will depend on the circumstances of each event and on the documentation required under the applicable regulations.
Free water at public events
Decree No. 13,109/2026 establishes that events open to the public must allow attendees to bring personal bottles and containers with drinking water. The rule covers cultural activities held in open or enclosed locations, whether admission is free or paid.
For events expected to attract more than 1,000 people, organizers must also provide drinking water free of charge. This can be done through water fountains or individual containers placed in locations that are easy for the audience to access. The sale of beverages does not replace the obligation to make drinking water available without charge.
The official text of Decree No. 13,109/2026 defines the measure as an obligation for organizers of events open to the public. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security also highlighted the requirement for free drinking water at events with more than 1,000 expected attendees.
What audiences and organizers should watch
For ticket buyers, the main points to check are the official sales channel, the full price before payment, the description of fees and the conditions for cancellation, postponement or transfer. Consumers should also keep purchase confirmations and communications from organizers in case they need to request a refund, credit or another remedy.
Organizers, venues and ticketing platforms must review their sales systems, public information and event infrastructure. This includes the presentation of virtual queue data, the handling of half-price tickets, procedures for ownership transfers and the placement of accessible water stations at larger events.
Failure to comply with the free-water requirement is subject to sanctions provided under Brazil’s Consumer Protection Code. Together, the two decrees expand the responsibilities of the companies and producers involved in cultural events while giving the public more information and practical protections throughout the event experience.
