UK opens Ticketmaster investigation into Oasis shows – Entertainment

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s competition watchdog on Thursday launched an investigation into Ticketmaster over the sale of Oasis concert tickets, including its use of “dynamic pricing” to overcharge fans at the last minute.

Thousands of fans waited hours in virtual queues last weekend for tickets to the British band’s summer reunion shows, only to find that prices had been hiked under a “dynamic pricing” plan.

Many thought they would pay the advertised fee of £148.50 (US$195.10), but ended up paying more than double that, £355.20.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it was examining whether the sale of Oasis concert tickets by Ticketmaster, the show’s official ticketing partner, may breach consumer protection law.

It said it would examine whether Ticketmaster engaged in “unfair commercial practices”, whether fans were given “clear and timely” information to explain that tickets could be subject to “dynamic pricing”, and whether people were pressured to buy tickets in a short period of time.

The authority said it should not be assumed that Ticketmaster violated consumer protection laws. As part of the investigation, fans are being asked to provide evidence of their experiences.

Ticketmaster did not initially respond to a request for comment on the investigation.

In a statement issued to PA Media and cited by the BBC, Oasis said decisions regarding tickets and pricing were the responsibility of promoters.

The band said Oasis “was not aware at any time that dynamic pricing would be used” on ticket sales for the initial dates.

(Additional reporting by Radhika Anilkumar in Bengaluru and Katharina Demony in London)