The UK government has announced plans to investigate Ticketmaster’s controversial dynamic pricing model after thousands of Oasis fans were left frustrated and disappointed while trying to secure tickets for the band’s highly anticipated reunion tour. The investigation comes in response to widespread complaints about skyrocketing ticket prices and technical issues that prevented many fans from purchasing tickets at face value.
Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing model, which adjusts ticket prices in real-time based on demand, caused prices for Oasis’s reunion tour to soar from the advertised £150 to over £400. Fans who endured long virtual queues found that only the dynamically priced tickets remained by the time they reached the front of the line, leaving many unable to afford the inflated prices.
Engadget reports that UK culture minister Lisa Nandy expressed the government’s commitment to putting fans first, stating, “We will be launching a consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales, including issues around transparency and the use of dynamic pricing.” The forthcoming consultation aims to address concerns surrounding the use of dynamic pricing and the technology behind queuing systems that incentivize it.
“This government is committed to putting fans back at the heart of music. So we will include issues around the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, including the technology around queueing systems which incentivize it, in our forthcoming consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales,” Nandy said. “Working with artists, industry and fans, we can create a fairer system that ends the scourge of touts, rip-off resales and ensures tickets at fair prices.”
Ticketmaster has clarified that “platinum” tickets, which are subject to dynamic pricing, have their prices set by event organizers rather than the ticketing platform itself as reported by NBC. However, the company has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the UK government’s investigation.
In an effort to combat ticket scalping, Oasis has warned fans against purchasing tickets from unauthorized resale sites and has partnered with Twickets, a face-value ticket resale platform. Promoters have also vowed to cancel any tickets sold outside of authorized channels.
As Variety reports, Ticketmaster has faced scrutiny in the United States as well, particularly after the Taylor Swift “The Eras Tour” ticketing debacle in 2022, which led to a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing and criticism of the company’s alleged monopoly in the live events industry. The U.S. Justice Department has also filed an antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation.
As the UK government’s investigation unfolds, the potential implications for Ticketmaster and the live events industry remain to be seen. The outcome of the investigation could lead to significant changes in consumer protection regulations within the ticketing market, ultimately benefiting fans and ensuring a fairer ticket-buying experience.
