Oasis ticket sale prompts Ticketmaster investigation

Tuesday 01 October 2024

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated an investigation into Ticketmaster, owned by Live Nation, following the ticket sale for Oasis’ 2025 UK and Ireland stadium tour. The CMA aims to examine whether "dynamic pricing" was utilized in a manner that breaches consumer protection law.

On Saturday, August 31, over 10 million fans from 158 countries queued to purchase tickets for the tour, leading to immense demand. In response, two additional Wembley Stadium shows were announced due to “unprecedented demand,” with Oasis expressing frustration that all ticket platforms struggled to handle the rush, leaving many fans disappointed after long wait times.

To highlight the demand, Wembley, which has a capacity of 90,000, would require 111 concert dates to accommodate everyone wanting to see the band perform next year.

In their press release announcing the extra shows, Oasis members—Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher, and their bandmates—distanced themselves from the decisions regarding Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing during the sale. Sources have indicated that approximately 10-15% of the 1.4 million tickets sold over the weekend utilized dynamic pricing, with some ticket prices rising from around £150 to approximately £355, prompting significant backlash on social media.

Oasis clarified, “The band leaves ticketing and pricing decisions entirely to their promoters and management and had no prior knowledge of the use of dynamic pricing.” They further explained that while initial meetings with promoters, Ticketmaster, and the band’s management had established a fair ticketing strategy, the execution fell short due to the overwhelming demand.

The CMA’s investigation is in its early stages, and it plans to engage with Ticketmaster while also gathering evidence from other parties, including the band’s management and event organizers. The Oasis tour is being promoted by SJM, Live Nation, MCD, and DF Concerts, with Ticketmaster among three ticketing platforms used, alongside Gigs and Tours and See Tickets.

The CMA stressed that it should not be assumed Ticketmaster has violated consumer protection laws. The regulator will also consider investigating other parties involved in the matter.

Dynamic pricing allows ticket prices to rise in real-time based on demand, akin to airline tickets or ride-sharing services. Live Nation has previously defended this pricing model, stating it helps combat scalpers who buy tickets at face value only to resell them at inflated prices.

While dynamic pricing is not inherently unlawful, the CMA cautioned that it could breach consumer protection or competition laws under specific circumstances. Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, emphasized the importance of fair treatment for fans purchasing tickets and invited individuals who experienced issues during the buying process to come forward.

The CMA has been focused on improving consumer protections in the ticketing sector, having previously taken enforcement actions and recommended changes to enhance the secondary ticket market. The recent government announcement regarding consultations for stronger consumer protections further aligns with the CMA’s objectives in this area.