The UK’s competition watchdog has officially launched an investigation into whether Ticketmaster breached consumer rights rules during last weekend’s controversial Oasis on-sale.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it is taking action after reports by fans of significant issues with Ticketmaster when attempting to buy tickets for the reunion tour. In calling for evidence from those affected, the CMA said there are concerns over whether buyers were given clear and timely information, and whether consumer protection law was breached by the utilisation of ‘dynamic pricing’.
The investigation will consider a variety of matters including whether Ticketmaster has engaged in unfair commercial practices which are prohibited under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
The CMA will also assess whether people were given clear and timely information to explain that ticket prices could change depending on demand, and how this would operate, including the price they would pay for any tickets purchased.
The investigation will also consider the impact of consumers being put under pressure to buy tickets within a short period of time – at a higher price than they understood they would have to pay, potentially impacting their purchasing decisions.
Ticket sites ‘must be transparent’
“Consumer law is clear – ticket sales sites must be transparent in their dealings with consumers and give clear and accurate information about the price people have to pay. Failure to do so may breach the law,” the CMA said in a statement.
The CMA said it will be engaging with Ticketmaster and gathering evidence from various other sources, which may include the band’s management and event organisers.
The body added: “It should not be assumed that Ticketmaster has broken consumer protection law. The CMA will also consider whether it is appropriate to investigate the conduct of anyone else in relation to the matter.”
CMA reiterates call for more protections
In addition to the investigation launched today, the CMA has also published its response to a letter from the Secretaries of State at the Department for Business and Trade and Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the issues surrounding live event ticket sales. The letter sets out the CMA’s view that more protections are needed for consumers buying tickets on the secondary market, as it previously set out in its proposals to government in 2021.
The CMA said it is separately considering broader competition and consumer issues raised by dynamic pricing. The letter notes that the government may include measures relating to dynamic pricing’ in its planned ticketing consultation.
Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said: “It’s important that fans are treated fairly when they buy tickets, which is why we’ve launched this investigation. It’s clear that many people felt they had a bad experience and were surprised by the price of their tickets at check-out. We want to hear from fans who went through the process and may have encountered issues so that we can investigate whether existing consumer protection law has been breached.”
Since the weekend, Oasis have announced additional shows at London’s Wembley Stadium, but tickets will be made available through a staggered, invitation-only ballot process.
In a statement, the band added: “As for the well-reported complaints many buyers had over the operation of Ticketmaster’s dynamic ticketing: it needs to be made clear that Oasis leave decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management, and at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used.”
Oasis first announced their 2025 reunion at the end of last month. Two shows are scheduled for Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on July 4 and 5; five shows at Manchester’s Heaton Park between July 11-20; seven concerts at Wembley between July 25 and August 3, and again on September 27-28; three performances at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium from August 8-12; and two at Dublin’s Croke Park on August 16 and 17.
Share this