Wonderwall Of Scrutiny: UK Competition Watchdog Investigates Oasis Ticket Sales

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the UK’s competition watchdog, has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster in the wake of an uproar regarding the sale of Oasis tickets. The inquiry will examine multiple facets of the on-sale, including how Ticketmaster used dynamic pricing.

After long waits in virtual queues, many fans who tried to buy tickets for the UK leg of Oasis' reunion tour found that the prices had jumped. The dynamic pricing model, used for decades by airlines, adjusts prices based on demand.

According to a statement from the CMA, The investigation will consider a variety of things to determine if Ticketmaster broke the law including whether:

• Ticketmaster has engaged in unfair commercial practices which are prohibited under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
• People were given clear and timely information to explain that the tickets could be subject to so-called ‘dynamic pricing’ with prices changing depending on demand, and how this would operate, including the price they would pay for any tickets purchased
• People were put under pressure to buy tickets within a short period of time – at a higher price than they understood they would have to pay, potentially impacting their purchasing decisions

The investigation is in its early stages, as the CMA will connect with Ticketmaster and other sources to make its determination. “It should not be assumed that Ticketmaster has broken consumer protection law,” noted the CMA. Fans have been invited to submit evidence of their experiences to the agency. The CMA asked fans to provide evidence and “where possible, to include any screenshots they may have taken as they progressed through the purchasing process” in relation to any purchases or attempted purchases of Oasis tickets.

The CMA added that while dynamic pricing “is not automatically unlawful, it may breach consumer protection or competition law in certain circumstances.” The level of transparency Ticketmaster provided throughout the process is a major factor the CMA will weigh in making its determination.

“It’s important that fans are treated fairly when they buy tickets, which is why we’ve launched this investigation. It’s clear that many people felt they had a bad experience and were surprised by the price of their tickets at check-out,” Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said. “We want to hear from fans who went through the process and may have encountered issues so that we can investigate whether existing consumer protection law has been breached.”

Oasis’ Liam and Noel Gallagher denied knowing dynamic pricing would be utilized in the sale of tickets for the reunion shows. “It needs to be made clear that Oasis leave decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management,” the band said in a statement issued to the BBC/PA Media. Oasis added the band “at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used.”

The band added two more shows at London’s Wembley Stadium on September 27 and 28, 2025 in an effort to appease fans. Oasis will sell tickets for the new dates through a “staggered, invitation-only ballot process” open exclusively to those who were unsuccessful in the initial on-sale.

Currently, there are 21 dates on the books for Oasis. The initial announcement included word “Oasis will bring the tour to continents outside of Europe later in the year.” Stay tuned both for more dates and the results of the CMA’s investigation.