The UK government is set to ban the resale of tickets for gigs and live events at prices exceeding their original face value. This decision, announced last month under the Labour Party government, aims to crack down on ticket touting and protect fans from rising costs.
Under the new rules, it will be illegal to resell tickets for profit, fulfilling a pledge made in Labour’s general election manifesto. The move comes in response to growing concerns raised by prominent artists such as Radiohead, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay, who urged the government to act against “pernicious” touts. These ticket scalpers are estimated to have cost music fans approximately £145 million due to inflated prices.
Additionally, plans are underway to introduce caps on the fees charged by resale websites, ensuring that ticket prices cannot be artificially inflated through extra charges. The Financial Times first reported these measures, which aim to keep ticket costs fair and transparent.
However, resale platforms like StubHub International and Viagogo have expressed concerns. A StubHub spokesperson warned that imposing price caps might push fans toward black markets where risks and fraud increase. Similarly, Viagogo highlighted that in countries like Ireland and Australia, where price caps exist, fraud rates are reportedly four times higher than in the UK. They advocate for open distribution systems that integrate primary and resale platforms to combat illegal activities and reduce fraud, while fostering greater competition and fair pricing.
Earlier this year, Ticketmaster faced potential legal action from regulators over its handling of ticket sales for Oasis’ sold-out concerts amid allegations that fans were misled about pricing.
The upcoming legislation represents a significant step toward making live events more accessible and affordable for fans across the UK.