UK Government to Ban Reselling Tickets Above Face Value

Published: 18 November 2025 Tuesday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The UK government is preparing to introduce a ban on the resale of tickets to live events at prices above their original face value, in a move aimed at curbing professional touts and online resale platforms that charge fans excessive premiums. Ministers are expected to announce the plan imminently, marking a major step toward fulfilling a long-standing pledge to protect music and sports fans from exploitation.

The proposed legislation is designed to prevent unscrupulous operators from purchasing tickets in bulk and reselling them at inflated prices. In recent years, fans have complained about resale prices soaring several times above the original cost, particularly for high-demand music concerts and sporting fixtures. The move follows sustained pressure from the public, consumer groups, and industry figures who argue that professional touting undermines fair access to live events.

The announcement comes just a week after more than a dozen prominent artists, including Sam Fender, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay, signed an open letter urging the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, to tackle ticket touts and protect fans. The letter described online resale platforms as “extortionate and pernicious,” warning that the current system exploits loyal audiences while enriching intermediaries. Alongside the musicians, consumer advocacy group Which?, the Football Supporters’ Association, and representatives from music, theatre, and venue sectors endorsed the call for government action.

Earlier consultations on the proposed legislation had considered a cap that would allow resale prices to rise up to 30% above face value. However, recent reports suggest ministers are now likely to impose a stricter limit, ensuring tickets cannot be sold for more than their original price, although minor booking fees may still be permissible. The government has yet to officially comment on these reports, but sources indicate that a formal announcement could come within days.

Consumer watchdogs have welcomed the move, arguing that it will restore fairness to the ticketing market and put control back into the hands of genuine fans. Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which?, described the potential ban as “great news for music and sports fans” and urged the government to enshrine the necessary measures in the King’s Speech to signal its priority. Concha emphasised that limiting professional touts is essential to ensure that tickets are sold to the audiences who genuinely want to attend, rather than being treated as commodities for profit.

The Competition and Markets Authority has previously analysed the resale market and found that tickets sold on secondary platforms are typically marked up by more than 50%, creating a lucrative business for resellers while leaving ordinary fans unable to afford access. Investigations by Trading Standards have also uncovered cases where resale tickets were priced at up to six times their original cost. The government’s plan is intended to curb these practices, deter exploitation, and improve transparency in the ticketing sector.

Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster, has said it already enforces face value resale limits in the UK and described the reported government plans as “another major step forward for fans.” The company highlighted that protecting access to live events is essential for both audiences and performers, and praised the anticipated legislation as aligning with existing industry efforts to maintain fairness.

However, some resale platforms, including Viagogo and StubHub, have previously warned that imposing strict price caps could drive fans to unregulated channels, such as social media or private online forums, where fraud and scams could become more prevalent. These platforms argue that while price restrictions could reduce professional touting, they may also inadvertently create new challenges for consumer protection, particularly in informal marketplaces.

The move represents a key policy priority for the Labour government, which has long pledged to tackle ticket reselling as part of broader efforts to ensure fairness and accessibility for fans. Advocates argue that the ban is particularly timely given the growing popularity of live entertainment and the increasing reliance of the music and sports industries on ticket revenue. With demand for high-profile events often exceeding supply, fans have faced mounting frustration over inflated secondary market prices, prompting calls for legal intervention.

Industry reactions have been largely supportive, with music and theatre groups emphasising the importance of maintaining public trust and engagement. Organisers of concerts and sporting events have also welcomed the clarity that legal restrictions could bring, allowing them to prioritise genuine audiences over speculative resellers. Ticket vendors and venues have indicated that they are ready to work with regulators to ensure that face value limits are implemented effectively, with measures such as verified ticketing accounts and secure resale channels to maintain accessibility for legitimate buyers.

The proposed ban also carries implications for digital ticketing technology. Platforms will need to introduce systems to track ticket ownership, prevent bulk purchases, and enforce resale limits. This could include account verification, dynamic QR codes, and strict transfer restrictions. Advocates argue that such measures will reduce the influence of scalpers while protecting fans from fraud. Additionally, the government has signalled its intent to monitor compliance and apply penalties to violators, creating legal accountability for resellers who attempt to circumvent the rules.

Consumer groups have emphasised the importance of maintaining a balance between affordability and security, ensuring that tickets remain accessible while safeguarding buyers from scams. The announcement is expected to be accompanied by guidelines for both vendors and consumers, clarifying what constitutes legal resale, acceptable fees, and the consequences for breaches. This regulatory framework aims to reduce confusion in the market and provide fans with confidence when purchasing tickets.

The ban also addresses broader concerns about equity and fairness in the live events sector. High-profile concerts and sporting matches have increasingly become inaccessible to ordinary fans due to inflated resale prices, contributing to frustration and disillusionment. By enforcing face value restrictions, the government intends to restore trust in the ticketing system, ensuring that fans who plan ahead or purchase tickets at launch are not disadvantaged by opportunistic profiteers.

As the government prepares to formalise the legislation, political observers note that the ban aligns with wider consumer protection goals. Labour officials have framed it as a concrete measure to protect everyday citizens from market exploitation, highlighting the voices of musicians, fans, and industry representatives in shaping policy. By addressing a long-standing source of public dissatisfaction, the government hopes to demonstrate its commitment to fairness, transparency, and accountability in commercial transactions.

The anticipated announcement is also likely to influence industry practices globally, as other countries examine the UK’s approach to tackling resale inflation. Observers note that consistent regulation and enforcement can reduce the incentive for secondary market profiteering and encourage platforms to adopt responsible policies that prioritise fan access over profit margins.

In summary, the government’s planned ban on ticket resales above face value represents a significant intervention in the live events market. It aims to curb professional touting, protect fans, and restore fairness to ticket pricing. While challenges remain in implementation and enforcement, the move has been broadly welcomed by musicians, advocacy groups, and venues alike, signalling a concerted effort to ensure that tickets are accessible to the people who genuinely want to attend.