Government Plans to Cap Ticket Resale Prices – Could This Be the End of Ticket Touts?
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Morning, festival fam! Today we’re diving into the hot topic that’s got music lovers and gig-goers buzzing: the government’s bold new move to tackle ticket touts. Yep, those pesky resellers who snap up tickets in bulk, only to flog them for eye-watering prices, might finally have met their match.
What’s Happening?
The government has announced plans to cap the price of resale tickets across the live events industry—covering everything from music and comedy to theatre and sport. It’s part of a promise made during the last election, and honestly, it’s about time!
The proposal comes after countless complaints from fans frustrated by skyrocketing resale prices. Imagine this: you’re desperate to see your favourite artist, but by the time you hit “refresh,” the tickets are gone—and reappearing on resale sites for triple the price. Infuriating, right?
So, What’s the Plan?
The government is kicking off a public consultation to explore how much this resale cap should be. Options range from sticking to the original ticket price to allowing a small uplift of up to 30%.
At the same time, ministers are calling for evidence on dynamic pricing—the system where ticket prices shoot up during high demand. (Yes, I’m looking at you, Oasis ticket debacle last year, where prices soared to £350 for tickets that started at £150!)
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had some strong words on the issue:
“This has been going on for years, fleecing fans. Time is up for ticket touts—enough is enough.”
And honestly, can we get an amen for her next line?
“Music belongs to fans. Fans make the music industry what it is. No one should have to pay £1,000 for a ticket.”
The Problem with Ticket Resales
According to the Competition and Market Authority (CMA), resale tickets are typically marked up by 50% or more. Some investigations have found tickets being sold for six times their original price. Artists like Coldplay and Taylor Swift have also faced backlash as fans saw resale prices hit astronomical levels just minutes after the original tickets sold out.
The proposed changes don’t stop at capping prices. The government also wants to:
- Limit the number of tickets a reseller can list to match the original purchase limit.
- Make resale platforms legally responsible for ensuring accurate information.
- Empower Trading Standards and the CMA to enforce these rules.
What About Dynamic Pricing?
Dynamic pricing has become a sore spot for fans. It’s designed to sell unsold tickets for lower prices but often leads to customers paying far more for high-demand events. Last year, Oasis fans felt the sting, and even Noel and Liam Gallagher admitted things didn’t go as planned for their UK stadium shows.
Ticketmaster, often in the firing line, says it doesn’t set prices, blaming event organizers for the practice. However, they’ve come out in support of a resale price cap, saying:
“Our resale platform has been capped at face value since 2018, and we support proposals for an industry-wide cap.”
They’ve also called for action to crack down on bots and speculative ticket sales.
Industry and Artist Reactions
The proposals have been met with cheers from campaigners and artists alike. Fatboy Slim praised the move, saying it’s great to see money going back into fans’ pockets.
FanFair Alliance, a group fighting ticket touting, called the plans “potentially game-changing.” They highlighted Ireland’s 2021 ban on ticket touting, which has significantly curbed illegal practices.
Labour MP Sharon Hodgson, who’s been fighting this battle for 15 years, urged fans to get involved in the consultation:
“If you’ve been affected by inflated prices or scams, now’s the time to speak up.”
What’s Next?
The public consultation is open, and ministers are keen to hear from fans, artists, and industry insiders. Meanwhile, Ticketmaster and Viagogo say they’re ready to work with the government.
This could be a pivotal moment for live events in the UK. Will these changes finally level the playing field for fans? Only time will tell, but I’m feeling cautiously optimistic.
Over to You!
Have you ever been burned by overpriced resale tickets or dynamic pricing? Do you think a resale price cap is the answer?
Until next time, keep dancing, keep rocking, and let’s hope for fairer ticket prices for all. 🎶✨
