Ticketmaster to Implement Changes After Investigation into Oasis Concert Pricing

An investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has led to significant changes in Ticketmaster’s sales practices after the company faced complaints over its pricing of Oasis concert tickets. The inquiry revealed that Ticketmaster was selling tickets at varying prices for the same type of seating, including ‘platinum’ tickets that cost 2.5 times more than standard tickets without offering additional benefits. Fans were not informed of these price variations, particularly regarding standing tickets, which were sold at two different price points. The CMA has secured commitments from Ticketmaster to provide clearer ticket pricing in advance, inform fans about any tiered pricing systems, and avoid misleading labels like ‘platinum’ that could give the impression of better value. The changes will help fans better understand ticket pricing, reducing the confusion that occurred during the Oasis concert sales. Ticketmaster will now be required to report on its progress over the next two years to ensure compliance. In addition, the use of ‘platinum’ labels will be stopped in the UK. These changes come after widespread complaints from fans who paid inflated prices for tickets originally advertised at a lower cost. The investigation highlights the CMA’s focus on ensuring fair pricing and transparency in the ticketing industry.