British regulator investigates Ticketmaster over ticket sales for Oasis reunion

The Competition and Markets Authority will investigate whether the ticket sales platform's use of “dynamic pricing” violates consumer protection law

The UK competition authority has launched an investigation into the sale of tickets for the Oasis reunion concert, in particular the use of “dynamic pricing” by Ticketmaster.

Officials from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said they were investigating whether the ticket sales platform was breaching consumer protection laws after numerous people trying to buy tickets complained about significant price increases that went far beyond the advertised prices.

The use of dynamic pricing means that platforms such as Ticketmaster, where tickets for the Oasis concerts were officially sold, often increase prices according to demand, similar to how hotels sell rooms and airlines sell air travel. The company insists that prices are set by artists and management and denies breaching consumer protection laws.

A CMA spokesperson said: “Consumer Protection Law requires businesses to be fair and transparent in their dealings with consumers and businesses must provide clear and accurate information about the price people have to pay. Failure to do so may be a breach of the law.”

The CMA's investigation into Ticketmaster will examine whether the company engaged in unfair commercial practices; whether buyers were given clear information that ticket prices might increase; and whether people were pressured to buy their tickets within a short period of time.

Some people trying to buy tickets for the Oasis concerts complained about price increases of up to £350 per ticket, significantly more than the originally announced price of around £150.

The CMA statement continued: “Ticketmaster should not be considered to have breached consumer protection laws. The CMA will also consider whether it is appropriate to investigate the conduct of others in relation to the matter.”

When asked by journalists for his opinion on the matter, Prime Minister Keir Starmer described it as “depressing” and said the UK regulator would conduct an “urgent review”.

Oasis issued a statement to PA Media earlier this week, saying: “It must be made clear that Oasis leaves decisions regarding ticket sales and pricing entirely to their promoters and management.” They added that they were “not aware at any time that dynamic pricing would be used in ticket sales for the first set of dates.”

The band has since responded to astronomical demand for tickets to their reunion concerts by adding two new dates at London's Wembley Stadium on September 27 and 28, 2025. “Tickets will be sold in a staggered, invitation-only prize draw process,” reads a social media post shared by the band. “Applications to enter the prize draw will be made available first to the many UK fans who were unsuccessful in the initial sale on Ticketmaster.”