The Government is poised to outlaw the resale of tickets for live events at inflated prices to crack down on touts and secondary ticketing websites. The Labour manifesto had vowed to protect consumers from scams by implementing stricter measures. Reports suggest that the proposed cap on resale prices may be set at the face value of the ticket, though additional fees could still apply.
Various prominent musicians, including Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Radiohead, have advocated for price limits to benefit fans. Notable figures in the music industry, such as The Cure’s Robert Smith and Iron Maiden, have joined the call for a pricing cap to enhance public access to the arts.
Organizations like Which?, FanFair Alliance, and O2 have supported the move, emphasizing the need to curb exploitation by ticket touts. Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, has endorsed the ban on ticket resale above face value, emphasizing its commitment to prioritizing the fans.
In contrast, StubHub has expressed concerns that the price cap could drive ticket transactions towards black markets, potentially leading to fraud and other negative consequences for consumers. Viagogo has cited instances in other countries where price caps allegedly increased fraud rates, cautioning against unintended consequences.
The proposed legislation to restrict ticket resale aims to protect consumers and ensure fair access to live events, with various stakeholders expressing both support and reservations regarding its potential impact on the ticketing market.