LONDON (VIP-NEWS) — The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued an update on its investigation into Ticketmaster, citing concerns over misleading pricing and transparency during last summer’s Oasis ticket sales. The probe, launched in September, found that Ticketmaster may have breached consumer protection laws by labeling certain seated tickets as “platinum” and selling them at nearly 2.5 times the price of standard seats—without clearly explaining any added benefits. Many of these tickets were in the same stadium sections as cheaper options, potentially misleading fans.
The CMA also highlighted Ticketmaster’s failure to inform consumers about two tiers of standing tickets at different prices. Cheaper standing tickets were sold first, with higher-priced options released later—leaving fans waiting in long queues unaware of the pricing strategy. While some fans suspected dynamic pricing, the CMA found no evidence of this.
“Fans reported problems when buying Oasis tickets, and we felt these concerns warranted investigation,” said Hayley Fletcher, interim senior director of consumer protection at the CMA. “We now expect Ticketmaster to address these issues so fans can make well-informed decisions in the future.”
Ticketmaster has already made some changes to its ticketing process since the investigation began, but the CMA says further steps are needed. The watchdog is now working with the company to ensure better transparency in ticket sales. Around 900,000 tickets were sold for Oasis’ highly anticipated UK reunion tour, with shows set for Cardiff, Manchester, London, and Edinburgh.
In a related note, the CMA has stated that Ticketmaster may have broken UK law by selling some Oasis concert tickets for 2.5 times what it charged for other seats without informing the public of its pricing plans. The investigation was prompted by consumers lodging complaints about the process to see the British band Oasis.
Specific tickets were labeled as “platinum” and cost more than double the price of other tickets, but included no additional perks or better locations, the CMA noted in a statement. Many fans waited in a lengthy queue without knowing what they’d be paying and then had to decide whether to pay more than expected.
“We’re concerned that Oasis fans didn’t get the information they needed or may have been misled into buying tickets they thought were better than they were,” Hayley Fletcher reiterated. “We now expect Ticketmaster to work with us to address these concerns so, in future, fans can make well-informed decisions when buying tickets.”
In response to the CMA's findings, Ticketmaster stated, “We strive to provide the best ticketing platform through a simple, transparent and consumer-friendly experience. We welcome the CMA’s input in helping make the industry even better for fans.”
Since the UK investigation began last September, Ticketmaster has made changes to some aspects of its ticket-sales process, but the agency doesn’t consider them sufficient to address its concerns. The CMA has indicated that it will continue to monitor Ticketmaster closely.
Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment Inc., have faced scrutiny in recent years after numerous high-profile tours either charged significantly higher prices to different customers or struggled to keep up with demand. Just last week, a federal judge in New York denied Live Nation’s request to narrow a case brought against it by the Justice Department and nearly 30 states, alleging the company illegally monopolized the live events industry.
Moreover, on March 24, 2025, Live Nation settled a lawsuit with investors for $20 million. The investors alleged that the ticketing and promotion company misrepresented its compliance with antitrust laws, further complicating the company's legal landscape.
As the CMA continues its investigation, it remains to be seen how Ticketmaster will adapt to the regulatory environment and what measures will be implemented to ensure transparency and fairness in ticket sales moving forward. The outcome of this investigation could have lasting impacts on how tickets are sold for major events in the UK and potentially reshape industry standards.
With around 900,000 tickets sold during the Oasis sale, the stakes are high for both fans and the ticketing giant. The CMA's findings underscore the importance of consumer protection in the entertainment industry, as fans deserve clarity and fairness when purchasing tickets to their favorite artists' performances.
