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UK Government to Ban Ticket Resale Profits, Capping Prices at Face Value
The UK government will announce a ban on Wednesday on reselling live event tickets for profit, fulfilling a Labour election pledge to curb touting and protect fans from inflated prices. Under the new rules, resale tickets for music, theatre, comedy, and sports events will be limited to their original face value, with additional measures to cap extra fees and prevent price manipulation.
Pressure from Artists and Consumer Groups
The decision follows an open letter last week from high-profile artists-including Sam Fender, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay-urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to address the "extortionate and pernicious" practices of resale platforms. The letter, co-signed by consumer watchdog Which?, the Football Supporters' Association, and industry bodies, highlighted the exploitation of fans by industrial-scale touts.
According to the Competition and Markets Authority, resold tickets are currently marked up by over 50% on average, with some cases exceeding six times the original price. Trading Standards investigations have previously exposed extreme price hikes, prompting calls for stricter regulation.
Government Cracks Down on Industrial-Scale Touting
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) estimates the ban will save fans an average of £37 per ticket, totaling £112 million annually. Resale platforms will be legally required to monitor and enforce the new regulations, ensuring compliance with the face-value cap.
"Touts making profits at the expense of fans is hugely damaging to individuals having to pay through the nose for tickets. We are committed to outlawing it."
Housing Secretary Steve Reed, BBC Breakfast
Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which?, called the move "great news for music and sports fans," emphasizing the need to "rein in professional touts and put tickets back in the hands of real fans." She urged the government to prioritize the legislation in the upcoming King's Speech.
Industry Reactions: Support and Concerns
Ticketmaster's parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, which already restricts UK resales to face-value prices, welcomed the plan as "another major step forward for fans." However, platforms like Viagogo and StubHub have warned that a price cap could drive consumers toward unregulated markets, increasing fraud risks.
Tom Kiehl, CEO of UK Music, argued that the cap is essential to protect both the industry and fans from "exorbitant" prices. "The music industry is worth £8 billion to the economy and relies on the strong relationship between artists and fans," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "The current resale market simply isn't working."
Next Steps
The government's announcement will outline enforcement mechanisms, including penalties for non-compliance. Further details are expected in the King's Speech, where the legislation will be formally introduced.
