Artists and Consumer Groups Unite Against Ticket Touts: Advocating for Fair Access to Live Events
Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Radiohead, New Order, Mark Knopfler, Iron Maiden, PJ Harvey, Sam Fender, and other musicians have joined forces with consumer groups and industry stakeholders to urge the government to take action against online ticket touts. They are calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to fulfill a promise to protect fans from being exploited by resellers who inflate ticket prices on secondary ticketing websites like Viagogo and Stubhub. The coalition argues that these practices prevent genuine fans from attending events at reasonable prices and erode trust in the live events sector.
Consumer group Which? has highlighted instances where tickets for popular events were listed at exorbitant prices on resale platforms, such as tickets for the Oasis reunion tour and a Coldplay concert at Wembley Stadium. The coalition of artists and organizations is advocating for new regulations to address the exploitative nature of the secondary ticketing market and ensure that fans have fair access to tickets. They emphasize the need for a price cap on resold tickets to curb the activities of touts who profit from reselling tickets at inflated prices.
Despite the government's pledge to introduce measures to combat ticket touting, there has been a delay in implementing new laws to address the issue. A recent investigation by Which? revealed that ticket sellers from various countries were acquiring tickets for UK events and reselling them at significantly higher prices on platforms like StubHub and Viagogo. The lack of transparency in the resale market and the prevalence of speculative selling have raised concerns about consumer protection and the need for regulatory intervention.
FanFair Alliance and UK Music have called on the government to prioritize the introduction of a price cap on resold tickets to protect fans and eliminate the activities of ticket touts. They argue that such a measure is necessary to safeguard consumers and ensure the sustainability of the live events industry. Viagogo and Stubhub have defended their practices, stating that they comply with regulations and provide transparency to buyers regarding ticket prices and sellers' information. However, critics argue that evidence from other countries shows that price caps have been effective in curbing ticket touting and protecting consumers.
In conclusion, the coalition of artists, consumer groups, and industry stakeholders is urging the government to take decisive action to address the issue of ticket touting and protect fans from being exploited by resellers. The introduction of a price cap on resold tickets is seen as a critical step towards ensuring fair access to live events and eliminating the harmful practices of touts in the secondary ticketing market. It is essential for the government to fulfill its commitment to protecting consumers and promoting transparency in the ticketing industry.