Lawmakers in the Republic of Ireland are moving forward with legislation aimed at banning dynamic pricing for concert tickets after the recent controversy surrounding ticket prices for the Oasis reunion shows. Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley, alongside TDs Niamh Smyth and Jim O'Callaghan, is set to introduce an amendment to the existing Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational, and Sporting Events) Act, which went into effect in 2021 and already prohibits reselling tickets above face value.
The catalyst for this legislative push came after reports emerged indicating that pre-sale tickets for Oasis's upcoming concert at Croke Park, initially priced at €176 (£148), skyrocketed to over €400 (£337) due to an automatic surge in pricing tied to demand. Fans have voiced their frustrations over the sudden price increases, especially after assurances from the band that protective measures would be implemented to mitigate ticket reselling at inflated prices. The band's management had partnered with the resale platform Twickets in an effort to maintain price integrity.
Despite these measures, fans reported long wait times in online queues, leading to distress over the final prices displayed. The band later stated they had no prior knowledge of the implementation of dynamic pricing practices for the sale. In light of the discontent, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK has also opened an investigation into Ticketmaster's pricing strategies surrounding the Oasis tickets. Reports suggest this inquiry will assess whether consumers received adequate information regarding the pricing beforehand.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized the need for a review of dynamic pricing and secondary ticket sale platforms in the wake of this incident. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour party, characterized the issue as "depressing" during a recent session of Prime Minister's Questions.
In a bid to ameliorate the situation, Oasis has announced a special invitation-only ticket sale strategy for two additional dates at Wembley Stadium on September 27 and 28, aimed at curbing the effects of dynamic pricing. However, the broader implications of these pricing tactics are likely to elicit ongoing scrutiny from fans and regulators alike as the live music industry continues to navigate the challenges of demand and ticket sales.