The UK government will investigate Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing model after Oasis chaos
The UK will probe Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing after Oasis ticket chaos left fans with soaring costs.
The UK government is set to investigate Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing model after Oasis fans faced significant price hikes during ticket sales for the band's reunion tour. Prices of standing tickets surged from £135 to £337.50, causing widespread frustration and forcing many fans to either miss out or turn to resale sites with tickets priced as high as $8,000.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy criticized the inflated prices and committed to putting fans back at the heart of music. Nandy said the forthcoming consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales will include transparency around dynamic pricing and queuing systems, aiming to create a fairer system that curtails touts and ensures reasonable prices.
Ticketmaster defended itself by stating that pricing decisions are left to event organizers, including artists and promoters. Some artists, like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, avoid dynamic pricing, while others, such as Bruce Springsteen, have adopted the model. Concurrently, the company faces an antitrust suit in the US, accused of holding an unlawful monopoly over the live entertainment industry.