Ticketmaster has rejected an invitation to discuss the use of dynamic pricing at a parliament committee amid an ongoing investigation over Oasis ticket sales.
Consumers lashed-out at Ticketmaster following the ticket sale for Oasis’ reunion tour in the UK last year, calling-out the company for its use of dynamic pricing — which saw tickets double in price. Following the debacle, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into Ticketmaster’s Oasis ticket sale in an effort to determine if dynamic pricing was used and if consumer protection law was breached.
The Business and Trade Committee invited Ticketmaster to an evidence session on February 4, where they’ll be looking into fairer prices for upcoming gigs. Ticketmaster declined, however, noting that it would be unable to adequately answer questions while the CMA’s investigation is ongoing.
The parliament committee has now invited Ticketmaster for a second time. While the UK managing director said the company would instead submit evidence ahead of the hearing and respond to a consultation in April, the committee is hopeful that Ticketmaster will still make an appearance — at least for the sake of buyers.
“We invited Ticketmaster to explain the steps they’re taking to deliver for the fans that drive their business and to inform our investigators into fairer pricing approaches for gigs and the wider economy,” committee chairman Liam Byrne said in a statement. “We appreciate that Ticketmaster are co-operating with the CMA investigation and contributing to the wider consultation on these practices — but that does not offer the same opportunity to help buyers understand them in a publicly accessible forum.”
Byrne said that “we very much hope to see Ticketmaster take up that opportunity in Parliament next week.”
| READ: Surged Oasis Ticket Prices Draw Fan Fury on Reunion Tour Dates |
During the Oasis sale, millions waited in queues to purchase Oasis tickets but saw ticket prices were significantly higher than originally advertised, with Ticketmaster justifying that the tickets were “in demand” during the initial sales rush. Fans shared screenshots on X, showing that general public “official platinum” tickets rose to prices as high as £500 ($553) and “In Demand Standing Ticket” prices jumped to £356 ($467).
Additionally, many were quick to point out that the band and its management have taken pains to fully employ ticket restrictions lock tickets from resale or transfer, outside of either Ticketmaster or the Twickets platform, both of which offer no option but to list for sale at the original price paid.
| READ: Oasis Blames Ticketmaster, Management for Surged Ticket Prices |
Oasis responded to the backlash, noting that they had no “awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used,” and instead, those ticketing decisions were left up to their promoters and management. Then, the duo revealed they would not use dynamic pricing for their North American shows.
Ticketmaster, on the other hand, said it did not set the ticket pricing policy, as that was up to the artists and promoters. However, it’s worth noting that all three promoters for the Oasis tour — SJM Concerts, MCD Promotions, and DF Concerts — all have ties to Live Nation, the entertainment conglomerate that owns Ticketmaster.
“We are committed to cooperating with the CMA and look forward to sharing more facts about the ticket sale with them,” Ticketmaster said following news of the investigation.
| READ: Broadway Legend Andrew Lloyd Webber Calls Dynamic Pricing ‘Racketeering‘ |
Dynamic pricing has been a hot topic over the past year; the phrase was even shortlisted by the Oxford Dictionary for Oxford Word of the Year 2024. The practice, which increases prices based on demand, is not new, though has been more rare abroad than in the States. While its supporters argue that such practices discourage “scalping” by making it harder for people to turn a profit by reselling tickets, it has drawn extreme backlash from fans, who often feel ripped off.
Alongside fans, some artists have called-out the practice; both Iron Maiden and The Cure said they opted-out of the use of dynamic pricing on tour.
“We didn’t allow dynamic pricing because it’s a scam and would disappear if every artist said, ‘I don’t want that,’” Robert Smith of The Cure said. “But most artists hide behind management. ‘Oh, we didn’t know,’ they say. They all know. If they say they do not, they’re either f***ing stupid or lying. It’s just driven by greed.”
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