CMA forces Ticketmaster to overhaul pricing after Oasis ticket backlash

A Clearer Queue: CMA Forces Ticketmaster to Overhaul Pricing Transparency

Why fans spent hours in online queues only to pay far more than expected

In a significant move for gig-goers across the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has secured binding commitments from Ticketmaster to give fans clearer, more detailed information about ticket prices before and during sales. The action follows widespread complaints after the sale of Oasis’s much-anticipated reunion tour tickets in August 2024, when many fans queued for hours only to discover prices had more than doubled without warning.

The root of the uproar

When Oasis announced their first shows together in 16 years, demand was predictably enormous. On 31 August 2024, Ticketmaster opened sales with two price tiers for standing tickets: a “standard” option at £148.50 and a higher tier at £355 once the cheaper tickets sold out. Fans who spent hours in the queue only saw the higher price and felt blindsided by the sudden leap, sparking accusations of so-called “dynamic pricing.” However, the CMA later confirmed there was no evidence of real-time, algorithm-driven price increases; instead, cheaper tickets simply ran out, with expensive ones released without notice.[The Guardian]

Consumer advocates argued that the lack of upfront information on tiered pricing breached consumer protection laws, leaving fans with little choice but to pay inflated costs if they wanted to secure a spot at the shows. The uproar around the ticket sale prompted the UK government to review ticketing practices and consider new legislation to protect buyers.

Key commitments from Ticketmaster

Under the CMA’s undertakings, Ticketmaster must now:

Give 24-hour advance notice if tiered pricing will be used for an event. This means fans know beforehand that more expensive tickets will follow cheaper ones once they sell out.
Display the full range of ticket prices when customers join an online queue, helping them anticipate potential costs before they reach the checkout.
Provide real-time updates during the queue to inform fans when lower-priced tickets have sold out.
Remove any misleading labels such as “platinum” if they do not imply added value over standard tickets.
Submit regular compliance reports to the CMA over the next two years, with enforcement action or penalties of up to 10% of turnover for any breaches.[It was reported by NME]

These measures aim to ensure transparency and fairness, allowing music fans to make informed decisions when buying tickets to major concerts and festivals.

CMA’s broader ticketing crackdown

The Oasis incident was not an isolated concern. Ticketmaster’s market dominance has long drawn scrutiny from regulators in the UK and Europe. In September 2024, the CMA launched its initial probe into whether Ticketmaster’s pricing practices for high-demand events breached consumer protection law. That investigation highlighted the need for clear, accurate information on tiered ticketing and led to earlier recommendations for change.[The Guardian]

The CMA’s recent commitments from Ticketmaster go further than mere suggestions; they carry the weight of enforceable undertakings. By April 2025, a new consumer regime empowered the CMA to impose fines directly on companies that break consumer law, creating a stronger deterrent against opaque pricing tactics.

Industry and artist reactions

Ticketmaster, owned by Live Nation, has welcomed the CMA’s findings, emphasising its voluntary commitment to clearer communication. A spokesperson said: “We welcome the CMA’s confirmation there was no dynamic pricing. To improve the customer experience, we’ve committed to clearer communication about ticket prices in queues.”

Artists and promoters have also taken note. Noel Gallagher, speaking in March 2025, stated that the band “had no awareness dynamic pricing would be used,” and reiterated that ticketing decisions were managed by promoters. Some event organisers are now reconsidering their own pricing strategies to avoid negative press and regulatory attention.

What this means for fans

For music fans, the CMA’s action offers two key benefits:

Predictability: Knowing the price brackets in advance lets fans budget more confidently, without the fear of surprise price hikes at the checkout.
Fairness: Real-time updates ensure that buyers understand exactly what remains available, reducing the sense of being misled after waiting for hours.

As major artists continue to tour the UK—ranging from pop icons to emerging acts—these changes should help rebuild trust in online ticketing platforms.

Next steps and potential pitfalls

While the undertakings are a step forward, the CMA will monitor Ticketmaster closely. If transparency measures fail, the CMA can impose fines or other enforcement action. There is also pressure on the government to finalise the Sale of Tickets (Sporting and Cultural Events) Bill, which would outlaw unfair price increases during online queues, extending protections beyond Ticketmaster.

Smaller ticketing services and promoters are watching closely. The CMA hopes that full-market transparency will become industry standard, making it harder for any seller to hide price tiers or fee structures from consumers.

Conclusion

The CMA’s move to secure binding transparency commitments from Ticketmaster marks a turning point for live-music ticketing in the UK. Fans can now expect clearer information on price ranges, advance notice of tiered pricing, and ongoing updates during online queues. Whether this will lead to a fairer, more predictable ticket-buying experience remains to be seen, but for the first time in years, music lovers have real regulatory backing to demand honesty from the platforms they use.