Ticketmaster UK Assures Deputies That Ticket Prices Are “Very Fair”

Ticketmaster UK Response to Pricing Concerns

The Ticketmaster UK chief defended ticket prices, stating that they are, in his view, a “very fair price.”

• Read more: 2025 can change the situation to finance British mass music, but when we see the action and where will the money go?
  

Discussion with Politicians

Andrew Parsons spoke with politicians as he appeared before the Committee on Business and Trade after controversy arose over ticket pricing, notably when “dynamic pricing” forced Oasis fans to pay more than expected to secure reunion tour tickets.

Many fans discovered they had to pay significantly more than anticipated for tickets, with some spending over £300—roughly £200 more than the advertised price.

A widespread backlash following the sales from last summer prompted many to call for the prohibition of dynamic pricing, urging sales platforms like Ticketmaster to be more transparent regarding their fees.

Parsons conveyed to the deputies that the prices listed on the site are indeed “fair” because consumers are willing to pay them. He also refuted the notion that ticket prices fluctuate during the overall sale process.

“Where there are various price levels, this is the choice of the event organizer. Selling a limited number of tickets at a higher price seems quite reasonable,” he mentioned, according to BBC News.

“We are closely collaborating with event organizers to set ticket prices they choose,” he added, denying accusations of bots being involved in the sales process. “There are no technological manipulations in these prices. These are prices that people agreed upon. There is no computer or bot behind them.”

Later, he explained to the committee that efforts to capture the true “value” of tickets would prevent them from being undermined. “If we cannot capture this value created by the artist, then that revenue simply disappears, and tickets will continue to be taken and processed through secondary channels,” he elaborated.

It is important to note that neither the committee nor Parsons specifically mentioned the sale of OASIS tickets, discussing ticket sales in general instead. This is due to an ongoing investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into the sale of Britpop legend tickets from last summer, aimed at ascertaining whether the platform has violated consumer protection laws.

At another point in the hearing, BBC deputy Charlie Meinard urged the CMA to initiate a separate investigation into the “market share” of live events. In response, Parsons stated that both Ticketmaster and Live Nation (which merged in 2010) already maintain a “clear separation in our daily operations,” adding that the ticket market in the UK is “as competitive as any market in the world.”

He also criticized the idea of capping ticket resales at 30 percent, claiming such a measure would still allow “workarounds.”

Last month, the government initiated public consultations regarding ticket resale, aiming to put forward measures to “better protect fans, enhance access to live events, and support the growth of the UK’s leading live event sector.”

This initiative is part of a broader plan to “crack down on ticket scalping,” which reportedly costs music fans another £145 million annually. The issue gained particular attention last year when Oasis announced they would be canceling over 50,000 tickets for their reunion due to sales through secondary markets.

The crackdowns on scalping and dynamic pricing are just two components of efforts made to support the UK live music scene. In 2025, a new ticketing initiative will require that part of the funds raised from ticket sales be allocated to aid venues in staying afloat.

This initiative comes at a critical time for the UK live music industry, as the annual MVT report for 2024 revealed that a venue closed every two weeks last year, with nearly 44 percent operating at a loss and about 20 percent of centers facing emergency assistance on the verge of shutting down.

To learn more about the ticket initiative and its impact on smaller venues and emerging talent, click here.