Ticketmaster, the popular ticket sales platform, is currently under investigation in the UK for its handling of ticket sales for the highly anticipated Oasis 2025 reunion tour. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced on September 5th that it would be examining Ticketmaster’s use of “dynamic pricing” and other issues faced by fans on the site.
Dynamic pricing refers to the practice of adjusting prices based on consumer demand or market conditions. This strategy is commonly seen in flight sales or food deliveries, where prices surge due to high demand. The CMA is investigating whether Ticketmaster violated consumer protection laws by using this pricing strategy.
Over one million tickets were sold over the weekend after Oasis announced their first shows in 16 years for their UK and Ireland tour. However, many fans complained about long wait times and fluctuating ticket prices. For example, standard tickets were selling for £355 ($470), compared to an anticipated price of £148 ($195).
The CMA will consider various factors during its investigation, including whether consumers were provided with clear information about dynamic pricing and if they felt pressured to make a purchase within a specific timeframe that could have influenced their decision.
Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, emphasized the importance of transparency in dealings with consumers when purchasing tickets. She stated that while investigators do not automatically assume wrongdoing by Ticketmaster, it is crucial that fans are treated fairly during ticket purchases.
In a similar incident in the United States earlier this year, Live Nation (Ticketmaster’s parent company) was sued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) over alleged monopolistic practices during Taylor Swift’s ”Eras Tour.” Fans also filed a class-action lawsuit against Ticketmaster after being unable to obtain tickets due to website crashes caused by alleged monopolistic behavior.
Oasis’ comeback tour is set to begin on July 4th, 2025 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The tour will run through September. The Epoch Times reached out to both Live Nation Entertainment and the CMA for comment but did not receive a response before publication time.