UK Watchdog Threatens Ticketmaster Over Misleading Oasis Reunion Tour Ticket Sales

Ticketmaster faces legal risks for “misleading” ticket sales on Oasis reunion tour, sparking concern over pricing tactics and consumer protection.

Ticketmaster Under Fire for Oasis Reunion Ticket Sales

The UK competition watchdog has stepped up pressure on Ticketmaster, threatening legal action over how tickets for the highly anticipated Oasis reunion tour were sold. The tour, kicking off later this week, has already been mired in controversy due to Ticketmaster’s ticket-selling methods.

Liam and Noel Gallagher gearing up for the Oasis reunion tour

Back in March, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) warned Ticketmaster about potential breaches of consumer protection laws connected to the sale last summer. This investigation was triggered by the backlash from the “Oasis Live ‘25” ticket sale, where fans were shocked by ticket prices soaring unexpectedly due to demand surges. Some tickets, initially priced at £150 (about $180), were reportedly sold for over £350 (roughly $420).

Confusing Ticket Labels and Pricing Practices

The CMA highlighted two main concerns about Ticketmaster’s practices:

• ‘Platinum’ Tickets: These were sold for up to 2.5 times the price of standard seats but weren’t clearly marked as offering any additional perks or better locations. Many customers felt misled, assuming platinum meant premium quality or exclusive benefits.
• Standing Tickets Pricing: There were two categories of standing tickets at different price points. Cheaper tickets were sold out first, and only afterward were the pricier ones released—without informing buyers of this tiered system. This lack of transparency meant fans could be waiting without realizing higher costs awaited them.

Interestingly, despite the uproar about so-called “dynamic pricing,” where prices fluctuate in real-time according to demand, the CMA stated they found no evidence confirming its use in this ticket sale.

Band’s Perspective and Ticketmaster’s Response

Oasis themselves claimed they were unaware dynamic pricing would be implemented. According to the band, prior discussions with promoters and Ticketmaster aimed to ensure a fair ticket sale experience that would help keep prices reasonable and reduce ticket touting. Unfortunately, the execution fell short of expectations.

“Prior meetings between promoters, Ticketmaster and the band’s management resulted in a positive ticket sale strategy... the execution of the plan failed to meet expectations.”

— Oasis statement

To give fans a glimpse of the excitement, here’s the official trailer for the tour:

Ticketmaster responded by tweaking “some aspects” of its ticket-selling process. Yet, the CMA felt these changes didn’t adequately address their concerns and communicated the specific voluntary undertakings they expected from Ticketmaster instead.

CMA Moves Toward Legal Action

Recently, the CMA disclosed in a letter to the business and trade select committee that Ticketmaster’s response showed a fundamental disagreement over whether their actions violated consumer law.

“Ticketmaster has declined to provide undertakings in the terms sought by the CMA or indicate whether there is a form of undertakings which it would be prepared to offer.”

With no agreement reached, the CMA has confirmed it is preparing to take legal action if necessary, although it remains open to resolving the matter voluntarily should Ticketmaster show commitment.

Oasis Reunion Tour Details & Excitement

Despite the ticket drama, the Oasis reunion tour is set to launch on July 4 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. This is just the beginning of 19 UK and Ireland dates, with support from Richard Ashcroft and Cast.

Liam Gallagher has urged fans to be punctual for the opening show, which kicks off at 8:15 pm:

“Don’t be late or we’ll start without you and you don’t want that now do ya.”

Oasis soundchecking ahead of the grand reunion

Fans can also catch the weather forecast for the opening night to plan accordingly.

The UK leg includes seven shows at London’s Wembley Stadium, followed by a global tour hitting Canada, the US, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil, wrapping up on November 23 in São Paulo.

Unique Tour Merchandise

To celebrate the reunion, Lidl has released a quirky special edition “Lidl By Lidl” jacket inspired by Liam Gallagher's iconic style. The limited edition coat, named after Oasis’ ‘Little By Little’ single, boasts fun features like drink-cooling pockets, a built-in bottle opener, a branded badge, and even an accompanying tambourine.

Looking Ahead

The unfolding legal drama between the CMA and Ticketmaster shines a spotlight on the ticketing industry’s challenges in balancing fairness and dynamic pricing. Fans and industry watchers alike will be keeping a close eye on how this dispute resolves as Oasis prepares to rock stadiums once again.

FAQs

• How did Ticketmaster mislead fans during the Oasis reunion tour ticket sales?
  Ticketmaster labeled some tickets as ‘platinum’ without clear explanations, suggesting they were premium despite no added benefits. They also didn’t inform customers about different price levels for standing tickets.
• What is the role of the Competition and Markets Authority in this case?
  The CMA investigates consumer protection breaches and is currently considering legal action against Ticketmaster for misleading sales practices.
• Did dynamic pricing cause the ticket price surges?
  Despite media reports, the CMA found no evidence that dynamic pricing was used for Oasis tickets.
• What is Ticketmaster’s stance on the CMA’s allegations?
  Ticketmaster has declined to agree to the undertakings proposed by the CMA and disputes that their practices violated consumer law.
• When and where does the Oasis reunion tour start?
  The tour kicks off on July 4 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, with plans for multiple UK, Ireland, and international dates.

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