Musicians Call for UK Ticket Resale Price Limits to Shield Fans

Post by : Mina Rahman

Renowned artists including Dua Lipa, Coldplay, Sam Fender, Radiohead, and The Cure are among over 40 musicians appealing to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to fulfill his campaign promise to safeguard fans from online ticket touts.

The musicians have signed a letter asking the government to “prevent touts from exploiting fans” by instituting a cap on ticket resale prices. Both fans and artists have voiced their worries regarding escalating resale prices, with secondary market tickets sometimes priced far above their original value.

In January, the government initiated a public consultation concerning ticket resales following fan complaints, asserting it would address touts who "systematically acquire tickets on the primary market and resell them at often exorbitant prices." However, seven months post-consultation, no specific timeline for new regulations has been established.

Resale Prices Inflating Dramatically

Research by consumer organization Which? uncovered that tickets to see Oasis at Wembley Stadium were being resold for as much as £4,442. Analysis by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) indicates that resale tickets are usually marked up by over 50%. Earlier this year, the government hinted at possibly introducing a price cap of up to 30% on reselled tickets.

Dan Smith from indie pop band Bastille remarked that it “seems insane” that fans are vulnerable to extreme price increases, pointing out that countries like Ireland and Australia have already implemented caps. Smith suggested that with government backing, fans could rightfully resell unwanted tickets at original prices, thus preventing exploitation by touts.

Government's Stance and Suggestions

A spokesperson from the Department for Culture expressed: "This government is resolutely focused on eliminating touts and is committed to placing fans back at the core of live events. We are analyzing evidence gathered from our earlier consultation and will unveil our plans soon."

The consultation also recommended limiting the number of tickets available for resale. In the letter, artists such as PJ Harvey, Mark Knopfler, Amy MacDonald, Iron Maiden, and Nick Cave joined consumer advocates in calling for a swift governmental response, insisting that new legislation on price caps be included in the upcoming King's Speech. They argued that such actions would restore public confidence in the ticketing system and broaden access to the arts.

Touts Exploiting International Networks for Profit

Which? has uncovered evidence indicating that prolific ticket resellers operate from locations such as Brazil, Dubai, Singapore, Spain, and the US, purchasing tickets for in-demand events and relisting them at inflated prices on platforms like StubHub and Viagogo. Investigations have revealed that teams of overseas personnel bulk-buy tickets for UK concerts to benefit from resale profits.

The CMA noted that identifying or contacting resellers can be challenging for fans, despite court mandates requiring secondary sites like Viagogo to disclose trader identities. Which? has also highlighted the phenomenon of "speculative selling," where tickets are offered for resale even before the seller has procured them.

Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert at Which?, stated that the collaborative statement from artists, fan organizations, and consumer entities showcases a widespread rejection of a ticket sales environment that allows touts to thrive without oversight.

Resale platforms contend that implementing a price cap could redirect buyers to unregulated websites and social media, heightening the risk of fraud. Reports suggest a black market exists for Premier League football tickets, where resale is illegal yet some tickets still exchange hands for tens of thousands of pounds.