UK Government Proposes Ban on Ticket Resales for Profit

On November 19, 2025, the British government announced a proposal to ban the resale of tickets for concerts, sports, and other live events at prices exceeding their original face value. This initiative aims to combat the practices of ticket touts—scalpers who exploit fans by using automated bots to purchase tickets in bulk and resell them at inflated prices. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized that the new regulations would "shut down the touts' racket" and make entertainment more affordable for the public.

Reuters

The proposed legislation is expected to reduce the average cost of resold tickets in the UK by approximately £37 (about $49), resulting in an estimated annual savings of £112 million ($147 million) for consumers. The government aims to enforce strict regulations on secondary ticketing platforms, including social media sites, to ensure compliance. Businesses that violate these regulations could face financial penalties of up to 10% of their global turnover.

Reuters

The push for this legislation follows a public letter signed by over 40 prominent British artists, including Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and Radiohead, urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take action against ticket scalping. The letter highlighted the need to restore public trust in the ticketing system and democratize access to the arts. The issue gained further attention following the exorbitant resale prices for tickets to high-demand events, such as Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and Oasis' reunion concerts.

Variety Magazine

Lisa Nandy stated, “For too long, ticket touts have ripped off fans, using bots to snap up batches of tickets and resell them at sky-high prices.” The government’s proposal has received support from various artists and consumer advocacy groups. However, Viagogo, a major resale platform, criticized the plan, arguing that price caps have historically failed to protect consumers and have led to increased fraud rates in other countries.

Reuters

Viagogo's spokesperson contended that implementing processes to verify tickets would be a more effective solution than outright bans. They noted that in countries like Ireland and Australia, where price caps exist, fraud rates are significantly higher than in the UK. The spokesperson argued that fostering competition in the ticket resale market would ultimately benefit consumers by driving prices down.

Reuters

The proposed ban will require approval from lawmakers before it can be enacted. If passed, the legislation will mark a significant shift in the UK ticketing landscape, aiming to protect fans from exploitation and ensure fair access to live events.

Variety Magazine

• “Our new proposals will shut down the touts’ racket and make world-class music, comedy, theater and sport affordable for everyone.” — Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary

New York Times

• “Evidence shows price caps have repeatedly failed fans.” — Viagogo spokesperson

Reuters

• “restore faith in the ticketing system” — Open letter from British artists

Variety Magazine