Ticketmaster has agreed to introduce significant changes to how ticket prices and sales information are communicated, following a UK regulatory investigation triggered by widespread complaints during the Oasis reunion tour ticket sales in 2024. Buyers will now receive clearer, advance notification about pricing tiers and more detailed updates about ticket availability when joining online queues.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a probe after fans reported confusion and frustration over unexpectedly high costs and poor pricing transparency during the rush to secure Oasis tickets.
The investigation found that Ticketmaster had failed to inform fans that standing tickets were available at two distinct price points, with cheaper tickets quickly selling out and prices jumping from £148 to as much as £355 for subsequent releases. Additionally, some ‘platinum’ tickets were sold at nearly two-and-a-half times the price of standard tickets, without any real benefit over standard tickets in the same areas.
Key commitments now made by Ticketmaster include:
- Fans must be informed at least 24 hours in advance if tiered pricing will be used for ticket sales, and what it means for ticket availability and costs.
- Buyers entering online queues will be shown the full range of ticket prices and be updated when cheaper options sell out.
- Misleading labels such as ‘platinum’ will be avoided unless there is a clear benefit.
Ticketmaster will also report regularly to the CMA for the next two years, with the risk of enforcement action if it fails to comply with its new transparency requirements.
The Oasis ticket row has intensified scrutiny of major ticketing companies over pricing practices on both sides of the Atlantic. While the CMA found no evidence of so-called ‘dynamic pricing’ in this instance – where prices change in real time according to demand – it highlighted the need for concertgoers to receive clear, upfront information so they can make informed purchasing decisions.
Ticketmaster has voluntarily accepted these changes without admitting wrongdoing, stating that the move will help improve the customer experience and trust in ticketing for future high-demand events.
These regulatory interventions signal a shift towards greater accountability and transparency in the UK live events sector, with ticket buyers set to benefit from clearer and fairer sales information starting with upcoming major concerts.
