Ticketmaster Faces UK Probe Over Oasis Reunion Tour Ticket Sales
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster, following complaints about its handling of ticket sales for the much-anticipated Oasis reunion tour in 2025. The probe is focused on concerns that customers were treated unfairly during the purchasing process, specifically regarding price transparency and dynamic pricing practices.
Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, is already grappling with an antitrust lawsuit in the United States that could lead to a breakup of the global concert promotion giant. Now, the CMA is scrutinizing whether Ticketmaster properly informed fans about dynamic pricing — a system where ticket prices fluctuate based on demand — and whether consumers were pressured into purchasing tickets at higher prices than expected.
“While dynamic pricing is not inherently unlawful, it can potentially violate consumer protection or competition laws under certain circumstances,” the CMA said in a statement. The authority is also examining whether buyers were misled or faced undue pressure to make quick decisions at elevated prices.
Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, emphasized the importance of transparency in the ticket-buying process, noting that many fans reported negative experiences. Some buyers took to social media over the weekend to voice frustrations, citing inflated prices, long delays, and technical glitches on Ticketmaster’s platform. One fan shared on X (formerly Twitter) that after waiting five hours to purchase tickets, they were met with a message reading, “Your session has been suspended.”
Ticketmaster has stated it is cooperating with the CMA’s investigation. The company also clarified that it does not set ticket prices, as these are determined by artists and promoters, with the option for prices to be fixed or adjusted based on demand.
The ticket-buying process for high-profile concerts has long been a source of frustration for fans. Ticketmaster came under fire in November 2022 for its handling of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and was involved in another controversy during ticket sales for King Charles’ coronation concert.
The CMA’s investigation could lead to legal action or require Ticketmaster to take corrective measures, with the possibility of fines once the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act is enacted later this year.
