Ticketmaster to clarify prices before checkout after Oasis fiasco prompted investigation
Ticketmaster has agreed to provide clearer ticket pricing details after being probed by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) after the Oasis ticketing fiasco.
Ticketmaster has agreed to implement a series of changes aimed at improving transparency for music fans, following a formal investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
The probe, which scrutinised how ticketing information is presented on Ticketmaster’s platform, concluded with a commitment from the company to provide clearer pricing and more detailed descriptions of ticket offerings. The move comes amid growing pressure on ticketing giants to address fan frustration over hidden fees, vague seating details, and confusing upgrade options - issues that have intensified around high-demand events like the Oasis Live '25 Tour.
The US-owned company was warned it could have breached UK and European laws over the inflated prices with some tickets for the Britpop legends' reunion raising from £135 to £350.
More than 900,000 tickets were sold to the comeback tour, while many faced lengthy queues and failed to get tickets. What's more, thousands of fans had their tickets cancelled after a crackdown on bots.
CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell emphasised the importance of upfront clarity, stating: “Fans who spend their hard-earned money to see artists they love deserve to see clear, accurate information, upfront.”
She added that while not every fan can secure tickets to in-demand events, they should at least be equipped with the facts.
She said: “We can’t ensure every fan gets a ticket for events as popular as the Oasis tour, but we can help ensure that next time an event like this comes along, fans have the information they need, when they need it.”
Under the new measures, Ticketmaster must now display total ticket costs - including fees - before checkout, and offer clearer breakdowns of what each ticket tier includes. The CMA has warned that failure to uphold these standards could result in further enforcement action.
Cardell concluded: “The changes we’ve secured will give fans more information about prices and clear descriptions of exactly what they are getting for their money. If Ticketmaster fails to deliver on these changes, we won’t hesitate to take further action.”
The announcement marks a significant step in the ongoing push for fairer ticketing practices, with fans and artists alike calling for greater accountability across the live entertainment industry.
