The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into the sale of tickets for the highly anticipated Oasis reunion tour, scrutinizing the use of “dynamic pricing” on the Ticketmaster platform. This pricing method, which raises ticket prices in response to demand, has sparked widespread criticism from fans who found themselves paying significantly more than advertised.
The investigation will examine whether Ticketmaster, the world’s largest entertainment ticketing platform, breached consumer protection laws during the sale of Oasis tickets. The CMA will explore three key areas:
- Whether Ticketmaster engaged in unfair commercial practices
- If buyers were adequately informed that ticket prices could fluctuate
- Whether consumers were pressured into making swift purchases due to rapidly changing prices
Many fans expressed frustration over the unexpected surge in ticket prices, with some reporting prices as high as £350 per ticket—almost £200 more than initially advertised. Oasis themselves distanced the band from the controversy, stating, “It needs to be made clear that Oasis leave decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management.”
While Ticketmaster has claimed that pricing decisions are made by artists and their promoters, the CMA will investigate whether the company played a more direct role in setting prices. A recent BBC investigation revealed that all three promoters for the Oasis tour are linked to Live Nation, the US-based multinational that owns Ticketmaster.
The CMA emphasized that its inquiry is in the “initial stage” and that it is too early to conclude whether Ticketmaster violated consumer protection laws. The regulator will gather evidence from various sources, including the band’s management and event organizers, and is inviting fans to submit proof of their experiences, such as screenshots of the ticket purchasing process.
In response to the criticism, Ticketmaster has remained silent, declining to comment alongside its parent company Live Nation and other promoters involved in the tour.
The CMA’s chair, Marcus Bokkerink, and CEO, Sarah Cardell, acknowledged that dynamic pricing is not illegal but underscored that it must be transparent and not mislead consumers. “We are keeping open all potential options for action,” they said, which could include enforcement measures if consumer protection laws are found to have been breached.
This investigation comes on the heels of a similar controversy involving Ticketmaster last year during the sale of tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Thousands of fans were unable to purchase tickets due to overwhelming demand, prompting Ticketmaster to apologize and pledge improvements in customer service.
As the CMA investigates, Oasis fans and consumer advocacy groups will be watching closely to see if any regulatory changes are introduced to address the frustrations surrounding dynamic pricing in live event ticketing.