In a bold move to combat ticket scalping, promoters Live Nation and SJM have announced plans to cancel over 50,000 tickets for the highly anticipated Oasis 2025 U.K. reunion tour. This decision comes in response to the unauthorized resale of tickets on secondary market platforms at inflated prices.
The tour, announced in August, saw unprecedented demand with 10 million fans from 158 countries vying for just 1.4 million available tickets. This immense popularity led to a rapid sellout, with many fans left disappointed and turning to resale sites for tickets.
To address this issue, the promoters implemented strict terms and conditions, allowing ticket purchases only through official channels such as Ticketmaster and their authorized resale partner, Twickets. Despite these efforts, approximately 4% of the total inventory ended up on unauthorized resale platforms.
A spokesperson for the promoters stated, "These measures were put in place to prevent secondary ticketing companies from reselling tickets at exorbitant profits. The 4% figure is actually quite low compared to some major tours, which can see up to 20% of tickets appearing on unauthorized secondary platforms."
The cancelled tickets will be made available again through Ticketmaster at face value, giving fans another opportunity to purchase tickets at the original price. Promoters have advised fans to avoid buying tickets from unauthorized websites, warning that some may be fraudulent or subject to cancellation.
However, not all secondary market platforms are complying with the promoters' stance. A representative from Viagogo, a U.K. secondary ticket company, told the BBC that they will continue to sell Oasis tickets, citing consumer demand and regulatory compliance.
This move by Oasis and their promoters follows a growing trend in the music industry to combat ticket scalping and ensure fair access for fans. Last month, the band also announced they would not use Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing model for the American leg of their tour, a decision made in light of the controversy surrounding Bruce Springsteen's 2022 tour, where ticket prices soared into four figures shortly after going on sale.
As the situation develops, fans who believe their tickets have been cancelled in error will have the opportunity to contact their ticket agent for investigation. The promoters remain committed to their goal of providing fair access to tickets for this highly anticipated reunion tour.