Ticketmaster has agreed to address concerns regarding pricing transparency after the backlash over the Oasis reunion tour, with campaigners calling for refunds for fans who felt deceived.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) revealed that it had obtained formal commitments from Ticketmaster following an investigation into the ticketing practices surrounding the highly anticipated Oasis tour ticket sales last year. Fans expressed frustration at facing significantly inflated prices compared to the initial advertised rates after enduring lengthy online queues.
The CMA highlighted two main issues, including Ticketmaster’s failure to inform waiting fans about varying prices for standing tickets and the sudden price hikes once cheaper tickets were sold out. Additionally, the CMA flagged the sale of “platinum” tickets at nearly 2.5 times the cost of standard tickets without clarifying any added benefits.
As part of the agreements reached with the CMA, Ticketmaster will enhance pricing clarity by notifying fans 24 hours in advance if tiered pricing is in place and clearly delineating ticket features to help fans make informed choices.
To address concerns about undisclosed pricing while fans wait in queues, Ticketmaster will now disclose the ticket price range upon queue entry and provide updates as cheaper tickets sell out. The company has also pledged to avoid misleading ticket labels and ensure accurate descriptions of ticket offerings.
Contrary to speculation, the CMA did not find evidence of Ticketmaster employing dynamic pricing during the Oasis ticket sales. The CMA emphasized the importance of transparent and accurate information for fans making ticket purchases.
In response to these developments, Ticketmaster stated its commitment to improving communication on ticket pricing during queues voluntarily. The company highlighted existing measures such as capped resale, robust bot protection, and transparent pricing displays.
While the CMA had previously raised concerns about potential consumer law breaches related to the Oasis ticket sales, it did not mandate refunds for fans. Lisa Webb from Which? urged the CMA to hold Ticketmaster accountable and ensure fair pricing practices for consumers.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised Ticketmaster’s efforts to enhance pricing transparency and sales procedures following the Oasis tour controversy. The government plans to introduce new consumer protections for ticket resales to prevent unfair practices in the future.