It’s a brave move from the UK government to protect consumers and artists alike. They have taken the initiative to announce plans to ban scalping, or the resale of tickets for profit. High-profile musicians such as Radiohead, Dua Lipa and Coldplay have done so already with an impassioned appeal. They’ve been calling on Labour leader Keir Starmer to commit Labour to cracking down on what they term “pernicious” ticket touts. The government’s proposed legislation could feature in next year’s King’s speech, signaling a commitment to tackling this long-standing issue.
Under the proposed regulations, individuals selling tickets will be prohibited from charging more than the original price paid for them. This measure is an important step to curb the rampant ticket scalping that has corrupted the industry for too long, especially during high-demand events. The crackdown targets not only individual touts but resale platforms such as Viagogo and StubHub, which have faced criticism for enabling inflated ticket prices.
The government’s final decision came after a long public debate over various approaches. One of the ideas floated even extended to allowing resale at no more than 130% of face value. In the end, officials did not pursue a licensing scheme for secondary market ticket sellers, fearing that it may not have achieved its intended purpose. Lawmakers and consumers alike are waking up to the detrimental effects of these practices. This new feeling is what’s pushing the industry — and increasingly, lawmakers — to protect the integrity of live events from this practice.
Twickets and Ticketmaster’s internal exchange system provide fans with options that don’t involve paying exorbitant fees to for-profit resale platforms. They give a much less discriminatory opportunity to consumers to purchase tickets at their intended face value. With the federal government doubling down on its commitment to consumer protection, it would be easy for these platforms to gain momentum.
The artists jointly made a call to Starmer this month, expressing their growing frustrations with ticket touts. This initiative has gained a new sense of urgency as artists and performers begin to feel the effects on their audiences. The UK’s Labour Party made a pledge to address problems associated with ticket scalping. To further emphasize their seriousness on this issue, they included this pledge in their general election manifesto.
The implied changes will hit independent professional touts the hardest. They will impact average Americans who sell tickets once in a while to make a buck. This could limit individuals’ opportunities to profit from the resale of tickets at increased prices. Even more, it aims to create a more equitable marketplace for consumers who wish to enjoy live experiences without the burden of outrageous fees.
Ministers have been keen to clamp down on secondary platforms, such as Viagogo and StubHub. They will find it hard to be financially sustainable without the huge mark-ups that ticket touts usually take. This change could dramatically change the nature of the ticket market and how Americans use this valuable public resource. Moreover, it fits within a growing movement to empower consumers and democratize industry across various sectors.
In advance of the federal government’s imminent adoption of these agency-specific plans, stakeholders from all corners of the entertainment industry will be watching closely as these developments unfold. We’re grateful to the bill’s sponsors for taking such a bold step toward fairness for artists and fans alike. It ensures that all fans can enjoy live performances without being taken advantage of by unscrupulous ticket resellers.