London, UK – November 2025: The United Kingdom government is preparing new legislation to prohibit the resale of concert and event tickets at prices above their original cost. Ministers are expected to make an official announcement soon. The move comes after longstanding criticism of online ticket resale platforms, where tickets are often sold for multiples of their face value.
The planned regulation, also included in the Labour Party’s election pledges, aims to protect consumers from being exploited by ticket scalpers who use automated software (bots) to buy tickets in bulk and resell them at exorbitant prices.
Price Caps Under Consideration
Earlier consultations suggested a resale price cap of 30% above the original ticket price. However, according to reports by The Guardian and Financial Times, the government now intends to set the cap strictly at the original price, allowing only service fees to be added.
This would effectively eliminate the potential for profiteering while ensuring that genuine fans can access tickets at fair prices.
Artists and Industry Groups Support the Move
Renowned artists including Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Radiohead have publicly called on the government to implement strict price limits. Last week, over 40 artists—including Robert Smith of The Cure, New Order, Iron Maiden, PJ Harvey, and Mercury Prize winner Sam Fender—signed a joint statement urging the government to restore trust in the ticketing system and make live entertainment more accessible.
Consumer rights organizations like Which?, industry bodies such as FanFair Alliance, O2, and the Football Supporters’ Association also backed the proposal.
Live Nation Backs, StubHub and Viagogo Resist
Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, expressed full support for the regulation. “Ticketmaster already caps all UK resale tickets at face value. This regulation is a crucial step to prevent profiteering and improve fan access,” the company said.
Conversely, secondary ticket platforms StubHub and Viagogo opposed the move. StubHub warned that strict price limits might push consumers toward unregulated, potentially fraudulent sales on social media. Viagogo argued that similar caps in Ireland and Australia increased the risk of fraud, potentially putting buyers at greater risk.
Consumer Groups Praise the Proposal
Which? Policy Director Rocio Concha described the planned regulation as “fantastic news for music and sports fans.” Concha explained, “Fixing resale prices at the original value plus service fees will block professional scalpers and ensure genuine fans can buy tickets fairly.”
Government Responds to Artist Campaigns
The Guardian reports that the initiative gained momentum after Dua Lipa, Coldplay, Nick Cave, and more than 40 other artists called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to stop ticket scalpers from exploiting fans. Under the forthcoming legislation, reselling tickets at higher-than-purchase prices—including via social media platforms—will be prohibited.
The Problem of Online Ticket Scalping
The government first opened a public consultation on ticket scalping in January, following complaints from consumers. Research from Which? revealed that tickets for an Oasis concert at Wembley Stadium this summer reached as high as £4,442, with resale prices often exceeding 50% above the original cost, according to the Competition and Markets Authority.
This practice not only exploits fans financially but also limits access to cultural and sporting events. The new legislation aims to restore fairness in ticket distribution and prevent large-scale profiteering.
Conclusion: The UK government’s upcoming regulation represents a significant step in curbing online ticket scalping and ensuring that fans can access live events at fair prices. While the music industry largely supports the move, secondary platforms like StubHub and Viagogo warn of potential unintended consequences.
