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Aug 26, 2025

Washington Nationals Age Discrimination Ticket Discount Settlement December 2025

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The Washington Nationals have settled an age discrimination lawsuit for $3 million over ticket pricing that favored fans under 40. If you’re 40+ and purchased single-game tickets between March 29, 2023 and March 28, 2024 in eligible sections, you can claim compensation by December 15, 2025. Options include cash payments (62.2% of price difference) or ticket credits (worth double your damages). The settlement’s compensation structure offers strategic choices for qualified claimants.

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Key Takeaways

The Nationals reached a $3 million settlement for age discrimination against fans 40+ who paid more for tickets than younger fans.
Eligible claimants must have purchased single-game tickets between March 29, 2023, and March 28, 2024, when over age 40.
Settlement offers either cash payments at 62.2% of price difference or ticket credits worth twice the actual damages.
Claims must be submitted with age verification and purchase documentation by December 15, 2025.
The lawsuit was based on violations of the D.C. Human Rights Act regarding differential pricing based on age.

Settlement Overview: $3 Million for Age-Based Ticket Discrimination

The Washington Nationals have reached a $3 million settlement to resolve claims of age-based ticket discrimination, stemming from their “Millennial” discount program that operated between March 2023 and March 2024.

The settlement details include an $800,000 cash payment pool and ticket credits valued up to $3 million for eligible class members. You’ll receive compensation calculated at 62.2% of the price difference between full and discounted ticket costs if you choose cash, or ticket credits worth twice your actual damages (minimum $18) if you prefer that option. Eligible individuals must be 40 years or older at the time of their ticket purchase to qualify for settlement benefits. The lawsuit alleged violations of D.C. Human Rights Act when fans over 40 were charged more than younger fans for identical seats in sections including Baseline Box, Infield Box, and Upper Gallery. The lawsuit gained significant traction due to public outcry and support from affected older fans who felt wrongfully excluded. Class members can submit objections to the settlement by August 7, 2025, if they wish to contest any terms. A final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for September 10, 2025. All claim forms must be submitted by December 9, 2025 to be considered for compensation.

Who Qualifies for Compensation? Eligibility Requirements Explained

You’ll need to meet specific age criteria and purchasing requirements to qualify for the Nationals ticket discrimination settlement. To be eligible, you must have been at least 40 years old when purchasing single-game tickets directly from official Nationals channels between March 29, 2023, and March 28, 2024. Your purchases must have been for qualifying seating sections including Baseline Box, Baseline Reserved, Infield Box, Corner, Scoreboard Pavilion, or Upper Gallery, without having received millennial or young professional discounts. You must have suffered actual damages as a result of not having access to the discounts offered to younger fans.

Age Verification Process

While determining eligibility for the Washington Nationals ticket discount settlement, consumers must navigate specific age verification requirements that form the cornerstone of compensation qualification.

To establish age eligibility, you’ll need to verify you were 40 or older when purchasing tickets between March 29, 2023, and March 28, 2024. The settlement specifically addresses discrimination against this demographic, as younger fans (21-39) received preferential discounts of up to 30% plus $5-$15 ticket credits.

Your birth date at the time of transaction—not your current age—determines qualification status. The discount verification process requires submission of your MLB.com account email address or alternative identifying information linked to your purchase. When submitting claims, you must demonstrate you paid more than you would have with the young professional discount that was withheld from you.

Qualifying Purchase Timeframe

Beyond verifying your age, understanding the qualifying purchase timeframe represents a key factor in determining eligibility for the Washington Nationals settlement. The qualifying purchase details specifically cover ticket transactions made between March 29, 2023, and March 28, 2024—a period when the discriminatory “Gen Z/Millennial” discount program was active.

Purchases must have occurred during the specified timeframe when the 21-39 age group received up to 30% discounts
Single-game tickets for Nationals home games during regular season qualify under ticket eligibility criteria
Direct purchases through the Nationals website, MLB.com, phone orders, or stadium box office are valid
The discount program officially terminated on March 28, 2024, and hasn’t been reinstated
Settlement covers the precise period when fans over 40 were systematically excluded from accessing promotional benefits

Eligible claimants can receive a minimum of $18 per claim regardless of the actual damages incurred from the discriminatory pricing.

Despite being excluded from past promotions, affected fans should note that all sales are final for any 2025 Holiday Pack purchases, with no refunds or exchanges permitted.

Seat Section Restrictions

Determining whether you qualify for compensation under the Washington Nationals settlement requires understanding specific seat section restrictions that define eligibility. Your claim’s validity depends on purchasing tickets in one of six qualifying seating areas: Baseline Box, Baseline Reserved, Infield Box, Corner, Scoreboard Pavilion, or Upper Gallery sections.

For Upper Gallery seat section eligibility, you must have purchased directly from Nationals sources between March 29, 2023 and March 28, 2024. Third-party reseller purchases are explicitly excluded from settlement coverage regardless of section.

Qualifying purchase channels include the Nationals website, MLB.com, phone purchases through the box office, and in-person box office transactions. The settlement compensates fans aged 40+ who were denied access to discounts of up to 30% and additional per-ticket credits.

The Controversial Discount Program That Led to Litigation

Although designed to attract younger fans to Nationals Park, the team’s age-based discount program quickly became the center of a significant legal controversy. The “Millennial Ticket Discount” initiative, later rebranded as “Young Professionals Discount,” offered substantial ticket pricing advantages exclusively to fans aged 21-39, explicitly excluding those 40 and older.

30% discount off regular season ticket prices with additional $5-$15 spending credits
Program ran exactly one year (March 29, 2023 – March 28, 2024)
Targeted specific seat sections including Baseline Box and Infield Box
Required age verification during purchase process
No equivalent fan engagement program offered for older demographics

The program’s discriminatory structure ultimately triggered a class action lawsuit filed in D.C. Superior Court on the program’s final day of operation, leading to its immediate discontinuation. This violated the club’s ability to terminate tickets by refunding the purchase price as stated in their ticket policies. The plaintiffs, including Nick Snyder and David Coyne, sought both an injunction to stop the practice and compensation for affected older fans.

Legal Basis: D.C. Human Rights Act Violations

The Nationals’ age-based ticket discount program directly collided with established legal protections under the District of Columbia Human Rights Act (DCHRA), which provides significantly broader age discrimination protections than federal law. Unlike the federal ADEA that only shields those 40 and older, the DCHRA extends protection to all individuals 18 years or older.

This distinction proved essential in the litigation, as the ticket discounts allegedly created unlawful discriminatory practices in public accommodations. The D.C. Office of Human Rights, responsible for enforcing these violations, identified that differential pricing based solely on age constituted prohibited discrimination. The settlement acknowledged that offering exclusive discounts to certain age groups violated one of the 23 protected traits under the human rights framework, setting an important precedent for how sports franchises must structure future promotional campaigns. The 2022 amendment further strengthened these protections by expanding the scope to include unpaid interns at sports venues. Victims of this discriminatory practice were encouraged to seek legal assistance from firms specializing in navigating the complexities of age discrimination claims. Successful plaintiffs in such discrimination cases may be entitled to emotional distress damages in addition to financial compensation for the differential ticket pricing they experienced.

How to Submit Your Claim Before the December Deadline

To claim your settlement compensation, you’ll need to submit verifiable evidence proving your age (40+), original ticket purchase directly from official Nationals channels, and confirmation that your seats were in eligible sections. The online submission portal requires uploading documentation demonstrating you paid full price without receiving the age-based discount during the March 29, 2023 to March 28, 2024 qualifying period. Your claim must be completed and submitted through the settlement website by December 15, 2025, with all required fields completed and supporting documents attached.

Required Documentation Evidence

Submitting five key documentation types will be required for Washington Nationals ticket discount settlement claims before the December deadline. Documentation standards require verification that you meet all eligibility criteria as established in *Snyder et al. v. Washington Nationals Baseball Club, LLC*.

Proof of ticket purchase for 2023-2024 home games through official channels only
Age verification confirming 40+ status at time of purchase (specific claim form varies)
Eligible seat section documentation (Baseline Box, Infield Box, etc.)
Financial damages evidence showing actual harm from not receiving the 30% discount
Claim submission within 90 days after final judgment

Proof requirements explicitly exclude third-party ticket purchases and those who received “millennial” discounts. Submit via NatsDiscountTicketSettlement.com or through mail-in PDF forms before the December deadline for potential compensation from the $3 million settlement fund.

Online Submission Process

With proper documentation assembled, you’ll need to navigate the online submission system to complete your Washington Nationals ticket discount settlement claim. Visit NatsDiscountTicketSettlement.com, the official portal launched July 7, 2025, and enter your claim number and PIN from your notification.

Select the appropriate online claim form based on whether your date of birth is already known to the court. You’ll need to provide your MLB.com purchase email address and verification of being 40+ at purchase time. The system processes submissions faster than mail-in alternatives and provides immediate confirmation.

Remember these submission tips: submit well before the December 9, 2025 deadline, utilize the website’s troubleshooting resources if needed, and track your claim status through the portal. Early submission prevents technical difficulties that often occur as deadlines approach.

Compensation Options: Cash Payment vs. Future Game Credits

Under the settlement terms, eligible class members face a significant decision between two distinct compensation options for the denied “Millennial Monday” discount. You’ll need to evaluate whether cash payment or game credits better aligns with your circumstances.

Cash payments derive from the $800,000 allocation and require proof you paid more than the discounted price
Game credits draw from the larger $3 million settlement pool, offering potentially greater value
Credit amounts correspond directly to the 30% plus $5-$15 discount originally denied
Cash option processing occurs after the September 10, 2025 final approval hearing
Both compensation types require verification through your MLB.com account email

Your eligibility hinges on being 40+ during purchase timeframe and buying tickets in qualifying sections directly from Nationals or MLB.com without receiving the millennial discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Will Individual Claimants Typically Receive?

Your claim amount will vary based on compensation factors including ticket quantity, original price, seat section, and total claims submitted, with potential payouts of proportional shares from the $800,000 cash pool.

Will Accepting Settlement Affect Other Legal Claims Against the Nationals?

Accepting the settlement likely impacts your ability to pursue future litigation against the Nationals for related claims, as most settlements include release provisions that waive additional legal actions on covered matters.

Are Season Ticket Holders Eligible for Compensation?

No, you’re not eligible for the compensation process as a season ticket holder. The settlement explicitly limits eligibility to single-game ticket purchasers, excluding season ticket packages from the claims process.

How Will Tax Implications Be Handled for Settlement Payments?

You’ll need to report your settlement as taxable income per IRS guidelines. Settlement taxation requires Form 1099-MISC for payments over $600, with attorney fees potentially qualifying for above-the-line deduction.

Can Multiple Claims Be Filed for Different Game Purchases?

You cannot file multiple claims for different game purchases. The settlement structure requires a single claim submission encompassing all your eligible ticket purchases during the relevant period, documenting each qualifying transaction within that submission.

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