Ticketmaster To Be Sued Over Oasis Tickets
LONDON - OCTOBER 16: L-R Noel and Liam Gallagher attend the Oasis photocall in Wembley Stadium to promote their new album 'Dig out Your Soul' released on October 6, and their two sold out concerts at Wembley Arena, on October 16, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is set to take legal steps against Ticketmaster following complaints from Oasis fans about the controversial sale of reunion concert tickets. The CMA highlighted ongoing disagreements with Ticketmaster over whether the company’s sales methods broke consumer laws. Despite attempts to resolve the issue, Ticketmaster has refused to provide the assurances the CMA requested, prompting the regulator to prepare for possible court action. However, the CMA remains open to a voluntary settlement if Ticketmaster shows a willingness to cooperate soon.
Dynamic Pricing and Resale Issues Spark Fan Backlash
At the heart of the dispute lies Ticketmaster’s use of dynamic pricing during the Oasis ticket sale, which automatically raised prices based on demand. Many fans ended up paying over £350 for tickets that originally cost less than £150, causing frustration and feelings of deception. The problem was worsened by the rapid appearance of thousands of tickets on resale sites shortly after the initial sale, some being listed at exorbitant prices of up to £10,000. This resale markup highlights ongoing concerns about unfair pricing in the secondary ticket market.
Broader Regulatory Scrutiny and Industry Impact
This legal challenge against Ticketmaster is part of a wider effort by UK authorities to address problematic practices in the live entertainment ticketing industry. The CMA had already been investigating ticket resale before the Oasis controversy brought renewed attention to the issue. The dispute has become a key example for potential reforms in ticket sales and pricing, with the CMA’s possible lawsuit marking one of the strongest regulatory moves against Ticketmaster in recent years.
