TICKETMASTER has finally agreed to overhaul its ticketing practices following a damning investigation into the controversial sale of tickets for Oasis’s Live ’25 tour.
The move comes after widespread criticism from fans who felt misled and overcharged during the sale process, with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) identifying major concerns over unclear pricing and misleading ticket descriptions.
In March, the CMA said it was worried Ticketmaster may have misled fans over the pricing of tickets when they went on sale[/caption]
During the Oasis ticket sale, Ticketmaster failed to inform fans that standing tickets were being sold at two different price points.
Customers waiting in lengthy online queues were unaware that cheaper tickets would sell out first, leaving only more expensive options available without any warning.
The CMA also found that Ticketmaster sold “platinum” tickets at nearly two and half times the price of standard tickets, despite these tickets offering no additional benefits over some standard tickets in the same area of the venue.
In response to these findings, Ticketmaster has committed to huge changes aimed at improving transparency and fairness for fans.
Moving forward, the company will notify customers at least 24 hours before ticket sales begin if tiered pricing will apply, ensuring fans know whether multiple price points exist for the same type of ticket.
It will also provide clearer pricing information during online queues, including displaying the full range of ticket prices at the start and updating fans promptly when cheaper tickets sell out.
Ticket labels will be accurately described to avoid misleading fans into believing certain tickets offer benefits that they do not.
To ensure compliance, Ticketmaster will submit regular reports to the CMA over the next two years detailing how these changes are being implemented.
The CMA has warned that failure to follow these commitments could result in enforcement action, as the watchdog continues to push for greater transparency across the ticketing industry.
Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority, said: “Fans who spend their hard-earned money to see artists they love deserve to see clear, accurate information, upfront.
“We can’t ensure every fan gets a ticket for events as popular as the Oasis tour, but we can help ensure that next time an event like this comes along, fans have the information they need, when they need it.
“The changes we’ve secured will give fans more information about prices and clear descriptions of exactly what they are getting for their money.
“If Ticketmaster fails to deliver on these changes, we won’t hesitate to take further action.”
Although many fans believed Ticketmaster used dynamic pricing during the Oasis sale, where ticket prices adjust in real time based on demand, the CMA found no evidence to support this claim.
However, the investigation highlights the urgent need for better practices across the ticketing sector, particularly as more artists announce major tours.
