The British government has announced plans to ban the resale of concert, theatre, and sports tickets at inflated prices, launching a major crackdown on ticket touts who use modern technologies to profit from high-demand events.
Housing Minister Steven Reed said the move aims to “end the scandal of ticket touts”, confirming that detailed proposals will be released in the coming days. Speaking to BBC News, Reed said the government is determined to stop fans being forced to pay “through the nose” for access to popular shows, festivals, and sporting events.
Concerns over “dynamic pricing” and inflated resale markets were first raised by ministers last year, prompting renewed scrutiny of the multi-billion-pound secondary ticketing sector.
Resale Giants Hit as Investors React to UK Crackdown
The impact of the proposed ban is already being felt in global markets. Shares in the US-owned ticketing company StubHub — which owns resale platform Viagogo — dropped 14% on Monday following initial reports in British media that the UK planned to prohibit above-face-value resales.
The government’s upcoming plans are expected to target the practices that have allowed touts to dominate online queues, often outpacing genuine fans through automated bulk-purchasing tools.
Bots, Sell-Out Events, and Soaring Prices: How Touts Capture the Market
Tickets for major UK events — from Glastonbury to Taylor Swift, Oasis, or Radiohead tours — typically sell out within minutes, only to reappear almost instantly on resale platforms at inflated prices.
Touts frequently use bots to purchase large volumes of tickets in seconds, bypassing normal queue systems.
Radiohead’s upcoming London tour is among the most expensive on resale sites. Standing tickets originally priced at £85 were listed on Viagogo on Tuesday for £682 — an eightfold increase.
Artists Call for Stronger Action: “Extortionate” Prices Undermine Fans
Artists do not benefit from resale mark-ups; only brokers and original ticket purchasers profit. This has led to growing pressure from musicians for the government to act.
Last week, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Iron Maiden, PJ Harvey, Mark Knopfler, and Radiohead issued an open letter in Which? calling for reforms to stop the “extortionate and pernicious secondary ticketing market”.
They urged the government to include anti-touting measures in the next King’s Speech outlining policy plans for 2026.
“For too long certain resale platforms have allowed touts to bulk buy and then resell tickets at inflated prices, forcing fans to either pay above the odds or miss out entirely,” the artists wrote.
The group called for legally enforced price caps on resales to limit profiteering and restore trust in the live events sector.
New York’s Incoming Mayor Highlights Similar Concerns Ahead of 2026 World Cup
The debate echoes wider international concerns. New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani highlighted the issue during his election campaign, warning of potential price exploitation ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where New York is a host city.
Industry Pushback: Firms Warn Ban May Boost Black Market
Resale giant Viagogo criticised the UK government’s approach, arguing that price caps and resale restrictions could strengthen the black market and increase fraud.
A company spokesperson warned that countries with strict caps — including Ireland and Australia — have seen “nearly four times higher” fraud rates compared with the UK.
Viagogo instead proposed a system of verified ticket exchanges and greater market competition to naturally reduce prices.
Expected UK Plan: Ban Selling Above Face Value and Cap Fees
While the government has not yet published full details, UK media reports suggest a ban on selling tickets above face value, along with limits on the fees that platforms can charge.
The Guardian reported that the cap could be around 30% above the original price, but ministers are also considering a full prohibition on over-face-value resales.
Labour MP Chris Bryant, speaking to NME earlier this year, said action was guaranteed: “We’re not asking whether to act, we’re asking how to act and what action to take.” He said the government’s commitment to tackling “appalling abuses” in the secondary ticket market was a key election pledge.
UK Regulator Opens Investigation Into Ticketing Platforms
On Tuesday, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirmed it had opened investigations into pricing practices and mandatory fees charged by several online platforms, including StubHub and Viagogo.
The CMA’s involvement signals an expanded regulatory push to protect consumers and increase transparency in the UK ticketing industry.
Pressure Mounts After Years of Fan Complaints
Calls for reform have intensified as UK fans face record levels of demand for major events, with ticket shortages, dynamic pricing, and resale spikes leading to widespread public frustration.
The surge in popularity of global superstars such as Taylor Swift, combined with rapid sell-outs of iconic UK festivals, has exposed regulatory gaps that allow automated bots and organised touting networks to dominate sales.
The crackdown marks one of the most significant interventions in the UK ticketing market in decades, aiming to restore fairness and ensure fans — not middlemen — gain access to live events.
