The Government is poised to announce a ban on reselling tickets for live events at inflated prices to combat touting and secondary ticketing websites. The Labour manifesto had pledged to protect consumers from being exploited by touts who often use automated bots to purchase tickets in bulk and resell them at exorbitant prices.
Following a consultation that considered capping resale costs at a maximum of 30% above face value, reports suggest that ministers may opt for a price limit equal to the ticket’s face value, with additional fees still permissible. Notably, prominent music figures like Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Radiohead have advocated for price caps to reduce expenses for fans.
Renowned artists such as The Cure’s Robert Smith, New Order, and Iron Maiden, among others, have united in urging for price limits to enhance public access to cultural events. Various industry bodies and organizations have supported this initiative, emphasizing the need to curb professional touting and prioritize genuine fans.
While Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, has endorsed the ban on ticket resale above face value, StubHub has expressed concerns about potential repercussions, warning that imposing price caps could drive ticket transactions towards unregulated black markets. Viagogo has also raised doubts, citing instances where price caps led to higher fraud rates in other countries.
The proposed measures aim to combat ticket scalping and ensure fair access to live events for all fans.