The UK consumer champion, Which?, has called for Ticketmaster to issue refunds to fans affected by exorbitant ticket prices for Oasis' highly anticipated 2025 reunion tour. Tickets went on sale on August 31, leading to a rapid sell-out as fans reported being priced out of ticket purchases due to dynamic pricing that escalated ticket costs significantly based on demand. Many fans who lingered in virtual queues ended up paying up to £355 for tickets initially priced at £135.
Dynamic pricing, a method employed by Ticketmaster akin to pricing strategies used in airline and hotel industries, was intended to balance ticket availability with demand. However, Which? claims that the site offered no transparency during the sale, with fans not aware of price hikes until their purchases were finalized. They are now suggesting that Ticketmaster's practices may run afoul of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (CPRs).
Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert for Which?, voiced frustration over the situation, stating, "It seems extremely unfair that Oasis fans got up early and battled through the queues only to find that ticket prices had more than doubled from the originally advertised price."
In response to the growing backlash, Oasis distanced itself from the pricing strategy. The band clarified that they were not informed of the drastic price increases and emphasized they leave ticketing decisions to their promoters. They noted that the execution failed to meet expectations due to unprecedented demand.
The issue has sparked wider scrutiny, with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launching an investigation into Ticketmaster's pricing practices. Lawmakers in the Republic of Ireland are also considering new legislation that would prohibit dynamic pricing. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have expressed concern over the situation, with Starmer describing the price hikes as "depressing." Additionally, the European Commission is investigating the matter.
To mitigate the fallout, Oasis announced an invitation-only ballot ticket strategy for two newly added Wembley gigs in September 2025. Available dates include September 27 and 28, marking a response to the discontent surrounding the initial sales. For further information, details can be found on NME.