Why This Matters
- Concertgoers are routinely forced to pay multiples of face value for tickets that are snapped up by automated bots and resold on secondary markets.
- A ban on for-profit resale would reshape the live events industry, potentially making tickets more accessible but also raising questions about enforcement and the business models of platforms like Viagogo and StubHub.
- The outcome could set a precedent for other countries considering similar curbs on ticket touting.
Background
Ticket touting — the practice of buying tickets solely to resell at a profit — has been a persistent problem in the UK for decades. Secondary marketplaces like Viagogo and StubHub have faced criticism for allowing touts to list tickets far above face value, often minutes after an official sale opens. Labour pledged in its 2024 manifesto to “stop fans from being ripped off” by outlawing for-profit resale, though the specific legislative mechanism remained undefined until now. Previous government attempts to regulate the sector, including the 2015 Consumer Rights Act, required platforms to disclose information about sellers but did not ban resale above face value.
Key Perspectives
Artists and fans: Musicians such as Tinie Tempah and Mike Joyce argue that touting exploits loyal fans and damages the relationship between performers and their audiences. Many artists have called for a straightforward ban on resale above face value, backed by tougher enforcement.
Secondary ticketing platforms: Viagogo and StubHub maintain that they provide a legitimate marketplace for fans who can no longer attend events and that their systems include buyer protections. They are likely to argue that a blanket ban would push transactions into unregulated channels.
Critics/Skeptics: Consumer groups and legal experts caution that enforcement will be difficult, particularly against overseas sellers and sophisticated bot networks. There is also concern that a ban could reduce liquidity in the ticket market, potentially driving up face-value prices if artists or venues capture the resale premium themselves.
What to Watch
- The publication of a draft bill or consultation paper, expected in the coming months.
- Reactions from Viagogo, StubHub, and other secondary platforms once details emerge.
- Whether the legislation includes enforcement mechanisms such as penalties for platforms that allow banned listings.