The U.K. government has moved to ban ticket resale above face value, aiming to make live events fairer and cheaper for fans. Officials released a memo on Nov. 19 that outlines the new rules and enforcement plans. Consequently, the change builds on earlier Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) actions and seeks to curb scalpers’ influence.
Key Provisions of the Law
First, the law makes it illegal to resell tickets for more than the original price plus unavoidable fees. In addition, it caps service charges and requires platforms such as StubHub and Viagogo to enforce the limit. The rules also stop buyers from hoarding tickets during primary sales, which should reduce bulk purchases by touts. Moreover, social media marketplaces fall under the same restrictions.
Second, the government expects measurable savings for fans. For example, officials estimate an average reduction of about £37 per resale ticket and roughly £112 million saved annually. Furthermore, they predict 900,000 more tickets will sell through primary channels each year. Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the law will “smash their model to pieces,” and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called scalpers “a shadow industry, acting without consequence.” Artists and managers, including Dan Smith of Bastille, welcomed the protections.
Industry Reactions
However, the move has drawn mixed industry reactions. The National Association of Ticket Brokers warned that price caps could hinder competition. By contrast, AXS U.K. and fan-to-fan exchange Tixel praised the reforms as steps toward fairer, more transparent resale. Meanwhile, the CMA’s September commitments from Ticketmaster — requiring clearer notices about tiered pricing and queue mechanics — show regulators are already pushing for transparency. As a result, the CMA will gain stronger powers to fine platforms that break the rules.
In short, the U.K. law targets scalpers, limits fees, and pushes resale toward fairer markets. Ultimately, fans should see lower prices and clearer information when buying tickets. Going forward, the debate will focus on enforcement and competition as the live-event industry adapts.
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