Plan to tackle ticket touting aims to protect fans and boost fairness

The UK Government has announced plans to cap ticket resale prices, increase transparency, and strengthen consumer protections to tackle the issue of ticket touting. The measures aim to ensure fans are no longer priced out of attending live events such as concerts, theatre performances, and sports matches.

As part of its “Plan for Change,” the government has launched a public consultation on the proposed reforms, including a cap on ticket resale prices. Options being considered range from limiting resales to the face value of the original ticket to allowing a maximum 30 per cent price uplift.

Impact of ticket touting
Professional touts and secondary ticketing platforms have drawn criticism in recent years for selling tickets at hugely inflated prices. According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), typical mark-ups on resold tickets exceed 50 per cent, with some tickets being resold for up to six times their original price. Research by Virgin Media O2 found that touting costs music fans an additional £145 million annually.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described these practices as unfair, stating:
“From sports tournaments to Taylor Swift – all too often big events have been dogged by consumers being taken advantage of by ticket touts. These unfair practices look to fleece people of their hard-earned income, which isn’t fair on fans, venues and artists.”

The measures have been welcomed by Jack Sargeant, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, who said:
“For too long, touts have been able to get away with ridiculous mark-up prices, which mean hardworking people can’t afford to go and see the live music, sport and entertainment that they love. I welcome the UK Government’s announcement today to make ticketing fairer for fans.”

Proposals for reform
The consultation also includes plans to:

• Limit bulk ticket sales: Proposals include restricting the number of tickets individuals can resell to prevent organised touts from hoarding and reselling large volumes.
• Increase accountability for resale platforms: Legal obligations would hold platforms responsible for providing accurate information to fans, with tougher enforcement measures to ensure compliance.
• Strengthen consumer protections: Existing legislation will be reviewed, with proposals to increase fines for rule breaches and introduce a licensing regime for resale platforms.

Dynamic pricing under review
The government is also launching a call for evidence into dynamic pricing practices, which adjust ticket costs based on demand, availability, and other factors. While this approach can lower prices for less popular events, its lack of transparency has left fans frustrated by sudden increases for high-demand shows.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the government is committed to putting fans first:
“The chance to see your favourite musicians or sports team live is something all of us enjoy and everyone deserves a fair shot at getting tickets. For too long fans have had to endure the misery of touts hoovering up tickets for resale at vastly inflated prices. As part of our Plan for Change, we are taking action to strengthen consumer protections, stop fans getting ripped off, and ensure money spent on tickets goes back into our incredible live events sector.”

Industry support
The proposals have received backing from industry figures, including musician and DJ Fatboy Slim, who said:
“Great to see money being put back into fans’ pockets instead of resellers. Fully behind this effort to make sure more people can enjoy incredible arts and music events across the country without being ripped off.”

Economic and cultural importance
The CMA estimates the secondary ticketing market was worth £350 million in 2019, with around 1.9 million tickets sold via resale platforms. This accounted for approximately 5-6 per cent of primary ticket sales.

Major events and tours are vital for the UK’s cultural and economic landscape, making fair access to tickets crucial for consumers. By tackling touting and ensuring transparency, the government hopes to strengthen trust in the ticketing system while supporting the live events sector’s growth.

The consultation is open to the public, with ministers urging fans to share their views.