The UK Government Is Set To Investigate Ticketmaster’s Use Of Dynamic Pricing After Oasis Reunion Tour Ticket Drama
3 Sep 2024
The British government will investigate Ticketmaster’s use of “dynamic pricing” and ticketing websites as a whole after tickets for the Oasis reunion tour were sold at “inflated” prices.
The return of Noel and Liam Gallagher was marred by fan complaints over online ticket giant Ticketmaster raising prices while people waited for hours in their ticketing queue.
Initially advertised at £148.50 (€176), Oasis tickets managed to reach as high as £355.20 (€422) after a few hours. An import from their US operations, dynamic pricing adjusts prices based on demand.
Following growing criticism from Oasis fans, the government said it would step in and investigate the controversial practice, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced.
In a statement, Nandy said it was “depressing to see vastly inflated prices excluding ordinary fans,” and wanted to end “rip-off resales” and ensure that tickets are sold “at fair prices.”
She confirmed that the British government’s already-planned review of ticket sales and consumer protection will include dynamic pricing.