The UK government has announced groundbreaking proposals to limit ticket resale prices for live events, targeting the controversial secondary ticketing market dominated by platforms like Viagogo and StubHub.
Under the new consultation launched by Culture Minister Lisa Nandy, resale prices would be capped at no more than 30% above face value. The move aims to protect fans from excessive markups by professional ticket touts who bulk-buy tickets and resell them at inflated prices.
The proposed regulations would also restrict the number of tickets resellers can list to match purchase limits on primary markets. Additionally, resale platforms would face new legal obligations regarding the accuracy of information provided to buyers.
The consultation comes after years of public frustration over sky-high resale prices affecting major events like West End shows "Hamilton" and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child." The practice has drawn criticism from musicians, politicians, and theater industry professionals.
The government will also examine dynamic pricing models, which sparked controversy during last year's Oasis reunion tour when fans faced unexpected price increases at checkout.
Industry response has been largely positive, with the FanFair Alliance calling the measures "potentially gamechanging." Popular musician Fatboy Slim praised the initiative, noting it would put "money back into fans' pockets instead of resellers."
However, secondary ticketing platforms have expressed concerns. Some argue that price caps could lead to increased ticket fraud through fake ticket sales.
The consultation represents a major step toward regulating the UK's secondary ticket market, following similar successful legislation in Ireland. If implemented, these measures would mark a significant victory for consumer protection in live entertainment.