Ticketmaster to provide fans more information after Oasis ticket sales uproar

LONDON — Ticketmaster on Thursday agreed to a series of changes intended to give fans clearer information before and during Oasis reunion-tour ticket sales, following an investigation by the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority.

Under the commitments, Ticketmaster will tell fans 24 hours in advance if a tiered pricing system is being used, as was the case for Oasis standing tickets. The CMA said it did not find evidence of dynamic pricing, but it concluded that fans were not informed that standing tickets were being sold at two different prices, and that prices could jump as cheaper tickets sold out. It also will provide more price information during online queues, including the range of prices available at the outset and updates if cheaper seats sell out.

Ticketmaster’s changes are voluntary and come without an admission of wrongdoing or liability by the CMA. The watchdog’s investigation looked at the sale of more than 1 million Oasis tickets last year for the band’s reunion tour, a run that left many fans frustrated after hourlong online queues and surprise price jumps. While the CMA did not find evidence of dynamic pricing, it found that fans did not receive upfront information about pricing tiers and fare disparities.

"Fans who spend their hard-earned money to see artists they love deserve to see clear, accurate information upfront," CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell 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."

Ticketmaster said it welcomed the CMA’s confirmation that there was no dynamic pricing, no unfair practices and that the company did not breach consumer law. "We welcome the CMA's confirmation there was no dynamic pricing, no unfair practices and that we did not breach consumer law," the company said.

Some observers argued the regulator should have pushed for refunds for fans who felt they overpaid. "Those who felt ripped off when buying Oasis tickets last year will undoubtedly feel let down that Ticketmaster hasn't been held to account for its past behavior," said Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert at Which?.

Oasis split in 2009, with Noel Gallagher quitting the band after a backstage dustup with his brother. That guitar, a 1960s red Gibson ES-355, is going under the hammer at an auction organized by Propstore next month. It is expected to fetch up to 500,000 pounds ($670,000). Oasis are more than half-way through their hugely successful tour, including performances in the U.S. and both brothers appear to be getting along. Their next concerts are this weekend at London's Wembley Stadium.