Proposed law aims to prevent ‘nasty surprises’ for fans when buying tickets – MP

Ticket sellers should be fined if they do not provide full details of prices and availability to fans waiting in online queues, an MP has said.

The bill on the sale of tickets (sports and cultural events) also requires ticket sales companies to print the final sales price on the front of a ticket.

Labor MP Rupa Huq said her bill aims to put an end to “nasty surprises” for buyers and was introduced after “dynamic pricing” led to some Oasis fans paying more than she expected to secure tickets for the band’s reunion gigs.

Oasis’ 2025 UK and Ireland tour has sold out despite concerns being raised after the price of some standard tickets more than doubled from £148 to £355

The Britpop group said it was not aware that dynamic pricing would be used, while Ticketmaster said “all ticket prices are set by the tour”.

The government and the UK competition watchdog have pledged to investigate the practice.

Ms Huq’s bill does not ban dynamic pricing, but rather aims to give fans details of what they can expect to pay at the start of the process.

The bill, which applies to England, Wales and Scotland, creates new offenses punishable by a fine if a ticket seller for a sporting or cultural event is convicted.

Ms Huq, MP for Ealing Central and Acton, told the PA news agency: “This bill would require ticketing sites to offer the full range of remaining tickets, quantities and prices to customers waiting in an online queue.”

“It is not government interference in every aspect of life, as the Tories have tried to portray, but rather consumer protection that ensures transparency and prevents unpleasant surprises.”

“I was contacted by a voter who had queued for hours to see standing room only tickets costing an astronomical £400. This would result in these numbers being displayed in complete clarity, with criminal consequences for those who fail to do so.

“It’s great that we finally have a government that understands and has identified other issues that it is working to resolve.

“It was a commitment in the Labor manifesto that the resale of tickets at inflated prices would end.”

Ms Huq pointed out that Culture Minister Lisa Nandy reiterated last week that the Government had launched a consultation to consider “how best to put fans back at the heart of ticket sales”.

Ms Huq said: “With the passage of my bill, ministers and I are in a good position to join forces to combat this major rock ‘n’ roll fraud together and stop ticket fraud.”

Their bill was given second reading on Friday but could not be taken forward after Prime Minister Christian Wakeford shouted “objection” as the title was read out.

Ms Huq called for the bill to be relisted on January 17, even though it will struggle to progress due to a lack of parliamentary time and government support.