Industry News

Unique ticket numbers required from today in UK

Ticket resellers in the UK will now be required to supply a unique ticket numbers (UTN) to the buyer to identify the ticket’s seat, standing area or location.

The new legislation, which goes into effect today (Friday), will help to protect fans and consumers from rip off prices on the secondary market.

In addition, resellers must disclose any restrictions around who can use the ticket or how it must be used, such as alongside ID of the original buyer.

Consumer Minister Andrew Griffiths said: “Fans have a right to know exactly what they’re signing up to on ticket resale websites, but all too often people are left feeling ripped off when the ticket doesn’t match expectations.

“We are already taking steps to crack down on touts using bots to bulk buy tickets for resale and today’s new rules will also improve transparency in this market.”

Under the new rules, the reseller must also disclose the original price of the ticket, reveal details of connections they have with either the online facility on which they are selling or the organiser of the event for which the ticket is being sold.

Adam Webb, the campaign manager for anti-touting campaign group FanFair Alliance said: “So-called secondary ticketing sites should now have complete clarity of their legal obligations.

“Combined with enforcement action, these welcome updates and additions to consumer law will result in greater protection for audiences and help development of a more transparent and fan-friendly ticket resale market.”

The Competition and Markets Authority is taking enforcement action against secondary ticketing websites suspected of breaking consumer law, whilst the Advertising Standards Authority has acted to clamp down on misleading prices and charges on secondary ticketing websites.

Margot James, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries, said: “We want real fans to get the chance to see their favourite stars at a fair price and we are clamping down on touts using bots to buy huge numbers of tickets, only to sell them on at rip-off prices.

“These new measures will give consumers even greater protection and transparency in the secondary market, helping Britain’s live events scene to continue to thrive.”

Image: Martin Fisch (marfis75)