The UK’s competition regulator has launched an investigation into Oasis ticket sales after widespread complaints over pricing.
The investigation is also set to include a wider probe into how “dynamic pricing” was used during the sale.
Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing meant that when reunion tour tickets went on sale, prices would rise in-line with demand.
The 90s Brit rock icons announced two extra Wembley Stadium shows as part of their 2025 UK tour on Wednesday, after “phenomenal demand” for tickets left many fans empty handed during the main sale on Saturday.
Tickets for the band’s tour went for up to £350 per ticket, around £200 more than had been advertised.
In response to widespread uproar over pricing, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today announced it has launched an investigation.
The CMA confirmed it is now scrutinising whether the sale of Oasis tickets by Ticketmaster may have breached consumer protection law.
The probe follows Oasis’ comments hitting out at Ticketmaster’s pricing policy, with many fans pay over the odds to secure access to the tour.
In an apparent response to the anger about dynamic pricing, they say tickets will be sold by a ‘staggered, invitation-only ballot process’.
Issues with monopolies and price controls should absolutely be addressed.
But supply and demand of in demand tickets where people are choosing to pay for non vital entertainment. Paying market prices doesn’t seem an issue.
Some venues you can’t even buy a ticket because it’s all owned by corporations that give them out to mates or business interests. That’s more of a concern.
I disagree with this whole ‘market price’ thing because as a consumer you don’t have constant opportunity to buy. You get one slot where you are are the front of the queue, and if you don’t like the price then tough. It essentially just rewards those who got to the front sooner, and punishes later joiners.
Yea that’s fucked. But they do need some data to judge demand.
They should gather that before they set the price. Once the box office doors open, increasing the price is price gouging plain and simple.
Yea I know there is a lot of money to be made in a job that does that.
It’s stupid I agree. But I don’t see how it requires government intervention.