Ticketmaster has reached an agreement to address concerns about deceptive pricing practices following the uproar surrounding the Oasis reunion tour. While activists insist that fans who felt cheated should receive refunds, the Competition and Markets Authority revealed that it has obtained official commitments from the ticketing company after conducting an inquiry.
The controversy erupted last year when tickets for Oasis’s highly anticipated tour were released, leading to an outcry from fans who encountered significantly inflated prices compared to the initial listings. Complaints flooded in as fans waited in lengthy online queues only to discover prices had skyrocketed, with some tickets jumping from £148 to £355 upon release.
The CMA highlighted several key issues, such as Ticketmaster’s failure to inform fans in queues about the differing prices of standing tickets and the sudden price hikes once cheaper tickets sold out. Additionally, the company was criticized for selling “platinum” tickets at nearly 2.5 times the cost of standard tickets without adequately clarifying that they offered no extra perks in comparison to others in similar sections of the venue.
As part of the resolution, Ticketmaster has committed to enhancing transparency in its pricing structure for customers. The company will now disclose 24 hours in advance if a tiered pricing system is in place and clarify the benefits of each ticket type to help customers make informed decisions.
Moreover, Ticketmaster will address the issue of fans being unaware of ticket prices while waiting in queues by providing real-time updates on price ranges and ensuring accurate ticket descriptions to avoid misleading customers. The CMA also confirmed that there was no evidence of Ticketmaster utilizing “dynamic” pricing during the Oasis ticket sale.
In response to these changes, Sarah Cardell, the CMA chief executive, stressed the importance of providing clear and upfront information to fans spending their money on concert tickets. She emphasized that while ensuring every fan secures tickets for highly sought-after events like the Oasis tour may not be feasible, the new measures aim to equip fans with essential information for future events.
Ticketmaster expressed its support for the CMA’s findings, stating that it did not engage in dynamic pricing or unfair practices. The company pledged to enhance communication regarding ticket prices in queues and encouraged industry-wide adherence to the newly established standards.
The CMA’s warning in March highlighted potential consumer law breaches by Ticketmaster during the Oasis ticket sales, particularly concerning the labeling and pricing of “platinum” tickets. While consumer advocates like Lisa Webb from Which? called for refunds for fans who paid inflated prices, the CMA’s focus remains on enforcing improved practices moving forward rather than retroactive penalties.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy commended Ticketmaster’s efforts to enhance pricing transparency and sales procedures following the Oasis tour’s ticketing issues. The government also plans to introduce additional consumer protections for ticket resales to address unfair practices in the industry.