Ticketmaster Changes Ticket Pricing Transparency After CMA Investigation

London, England – Ticketmaster has agreed to provide more transparent ticket pricing information following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). This decision comes in response to widespread complaints from music fans regarding the high costs associated with the Oasis reunion tour tickets sold last year.

The CMA announced on Thursday that Ticketmaster will now inform fans 24 hours in advance if a tiered pricing system is being deployed for tickets, similar to the system used during the Oasis tour. The investigation revealed that ‘platinum’ tickets were sold at nearly two-and-a-half times the standard price, yet did not offer any extra benefits.

Sarah Cardell, CMA chief executive, stated, “Fans who spend their hard-earned money to see artists they love deserve to see clear, accurate information, upfront.” She added that if Ticketmaster fails to comply with these changes, the CMA will not hesitate to take further action.

During the CMA’s year-long investigation, it was found that while there were significant price discrepancies among tickets, there was no evidence of dynamic pricing, where prices fluctuate based on demand. Fans reportedly faced outrage as they waited in long online queues only to discover that ticket prices had skyrocketed unexpectedly by the time they reached the checkout screen.

Following the announcement of the changes, a spokesperson for Ticketmaster expressed their commitment to improving customer transparency. “To further improve the customer experience, we’ve voluntarily committed to clearer communication about ticket prices in queues,” they said.

Consumer advocacy groups welcomed these changes but expressed disappointment that the CMA did not require refunds for those who felt misled by Ticketmaster’s pricing methods. Lisa Webb, a spokesperson for consumer magazine Which?, emphasized that fans deserved to be compensated for their negative experiences during the ticket purchasing process.

In addition to pressures from UK authorities, Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation are also under scrutiny in the United States. A lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission and several states accuses them of deceptive practices in ticket sales, further complicating their operations in the highly competitive concert ticket industry.

The CMA will monitor Ticketmaster’s adherence to the new compliance standards over the next two years.