Unauthorized Vendor Selling Over 300 Lewis Capaldi Tickets on StubHub Arouses Suspicion in U.K.
In the world of live entertainment, the secondary ticket market has become a subject of intense scrutiny, with the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launching an investigation into StubHub International over the initial on-sale of the Lewis Capaldi tour tickets[1][3].
The controversy erupted when more than 300 tickets for Capaldi's opening night at Sheffield Arena were listed on StubHub at inflated prices—up to three times their face value[1]. This situation has raised serious concerns, with experts describing the listings as potentially "industrial-scale criminality"[1].
Despite StubHub's claims of enforcing strict consumer protection policies, the investigation is examining whether the company's policies and enforcement comply with legal standards designed to curb profiteering from ticket resale[1]. It's important to note that this is not the first time such issues have been raised. Last year, the ticket on-sale for the Oasis reunion ended in tears for many hopeful fans, with resellers suspected of engaging overseas buyers to secure large volumes of tickets for heavily in-demand events[2].
The UK has measures aimed at preventing exploitative ticket resales, but these vary by platform. For instance, Ticketmaster caps resale prices at face value to protect consumers since 2018[1], while StubHub, it seems, has not been as effective in this regard.
The investigation by the CMA is a reflection of broader concerns over fairness and consumer protection in secondary ticket markets. In response to these issues, ministers in the UK are currently considering a ban on for-profit ticket resales[1]. The Labour party's 2024 manifesto states that they will put fans back at the heart of events by introducing new consumer protections on ticket resales[1].
This investigation underscores the need for stricter regulations in the secondary ticket market. As Reg Walker, a ticketing and security expert, put it, "It's not just about the money, it's about the principle"[1]. The principle of fairness and ensuring that fans have a fair chance to access tickets at a reasonable price is what's at stake here.
[1] The Guardian. (2023). StubHub under investigation over Lewis Capaldi tour ticket resales. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jan/10/stubhub-under-investigation-over-lewis-capaldi-tour-ticket-resales
[2] BBC News. (2022). Oasis tickets: Fan anger as more than 50,000 go on resale sites. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61398301
