Tickets for the Oasis reunion tour were sold through Ticketmaster last week, and it was announced that the Competition and Markets Authority has opened an investigation
The Competition Authority is investigating Ticketmaster over the sale of Oasis concert tickets that has begun, she announced.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it will also be investigating how so-called “dynamic pricing” was used and whether Ticketmaster’s sale of Oasis cards breached consumer protection law.
The investigation will look at whether Ticketmaster engaged in unfair commercial practices, whether people were clearly and timely informed that tickets might be subject to so-called “dynamic pricing”, and whether consumers were pressured into buying tickets at short notice or at a higher price than expected.
The CMA said it would contact Ticketmaster in the coming days and gather evidence from a range of other sources, possibly including the band’s management and promoters. The CMA said it did not consider that Ticketmaster had breached consumer protection laws.
This follows news earlier this week that Ticketmaster had been referred to the CMA after tickets for the band’s reunion tour went on sale.
Some fans missed out on tickets due to apparent computer issues, while others ended up paying more than they bargained for after waiting hours in online queues.
Over the weekend, it was reported that some fans paid £355 for tickets originally advertised for £148. Dynamic pricing increases the value of tickets in response to customer demand and Ticketmaster introduced the pricing in 2022.
CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said: It’s clear that many felt they had a bad experience and were surprised by the price of their tickets at the till.
“We want to hear from fans who may have encountered issues as they went through this process so that we can investigate whether we breached existing consumer protection laws.
“The CMA also welcomes the Government’s recent announcement that it will consult on measures to provide greater protection for consumers in the ticketing sector, no matter where they buy their tickets.
“This has been a priority for the CMA for several years and we have previously taken enforcement action and recommended changes to improve the secondary ticket market. We are committed to working closely with the Government to address long-standing challenges in the ticket market.”
Advance sales for tickets for the tour opened last Friday following a ballot process. Tickets went on general sale the following morning, and by that evening it was announced that both the UK and Ireland shows had sold out.
It was then announced that Oasis, which also includes formerly estranged brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, would be adding two more London shows to their tour.