The CMA is launching an investigation into Ticketmaster, regarding the sale of Oasis tickets and the use of dynamic pricing in determining ticket prices. 

In a statement, Mike Salem, UK Associate for the Consumer Choice Center (CCC), argued that the CMA is not right in pursuing this line of investigation, saying “Dynamic pricing is a primary feature of markets, and is the best way to determine the true value of goods, such as Oasis tickets.”

Dynamic pricing is a mechanism whereby the price of a good or service changes depending on demand, commonly used in airline tickets, hotel bookings and happy hour offers. In the music industry, its usage has been on the rise, most notably with Bruce Springsteen, Harry Styles and Coldplay.

Salem added, “The CMA is within its rights to launch an investigation, but concert tickets are in fact luxury goods, not essential items. Dynamic pricing is a perfectly fair mechanism to move concert tickets in sky-high demand.”

Salem also explained that “Ticketmaster is a mere intermediary between event organisers and fans.” The decision to use dynamic pricing goes down to the organisers.

On the point that consumers were put under pressure to buy tickets within a short period of time, Salem said, “Demand was very high for Oasis tickets and it is the industry norm to have tickets in the basket for a limited time before releasing them back on the market. Buying a ticket is a choice, and consumers make choices like these on a daily basis.”

The CCC calls on the CMA to explain which aspects of the ticket sale process by Ticketmaster were considered as “unfair commercial practices.” The Consumer Choice Center will continually defend the right of consumers to make well-informed decisions in the 21st century, including the choice to engage in dynamic markets for live entertainment.