Secondary Ticketing Websites Could Be Shut Down Under New Guidelines

The CMA has issued some tough new proposals...

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued tough new proposed action against secondary ticketing websites.

The sites have earned the ire of fans, with tickets for in-demand shows frequently appearing at inflated prices within minutes of the concerts going on sale.

Now the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have *moved to issue fresh proposals*, aimed at curbing sellers' activities.

The proposals would mean that sites - such as *Viagogo* and *StubHub *- would have to apply for licenses to operate, and could then be fined or shut down if they continue to break consumer protection rules.

In future, the potential rules would mean that websites would be unable to list tickets at greater than face value - or face censure.

Labour MP Sharon Hodgson has led a parliamentary group examining secondary ticket use, and says more needs to be done to confront the “parasitical market”.

In a statement, she says: “The abuses in the secondary ticket market are clear as day and the CMA have been provided a wealth of evidence on this. Fixing the secondary ticket market to make it fit for fans will require political will from the government and time allowed in parliament.”

In 2019 Google withdrew support for Viagogo, while last year Which? reported that the company were "refusing" to offer fans refunds for shows cancelled due to the pandemic.

MPs and campaigners for fair ticket prices have also criticised Viagogo, with MPs advising fans to refrain from using Viagogo until it “fully complies with consumer law”.

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