The Government is poised to announce a ban on the resale of tickets for live events at inflated prices in a move to combat touts and secondary ticketing websites. This initiative comes following the Labour manifesto’s pledge to protect consumers from scams and exorbitant resale prices orchestrated by touts using automated bots to purchase tickets in bulk.
Initial discussions proposed capping resold tickets at a maximum of 30% above face value, but recent reports suggest that ministers may opt for a cap at the original face value with additional fees still applicable. Notably, prominent music figures like Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Radiohead have advocated for price limitations to alleviate financial burdens on fans.
Various music industry stakeholders, including artists like The Cure’s Robert Smith and organizations like Which? and the Football Supporters’ Association, have united to endorse the price cap initiative. They emphasize the necessity of restoring trust in ticket sales and ensuring fair access to cultural events for all enthusiasts.
While Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, has expressed support for the government’s proposal, StubHub has cautioned that imposing price restrictions could inadvertently drive ticket transactions towards unregulated black markets. Viagogo also raised concerns, citing instances in other countries where price caps led to increased fraud rates.
As the debate continues, the music community and policymakers alike stress the importance of balancing consumer protection with maintaining a vibrant and accessible live event landscape.