A BBC investigation uncovered that ticket touts are using teams overseas to bulk-buy tickets for major concerts such as Oasis and Taylor Swift. Despite government plans for regulation, critics argue that current efforts do not sufficiently address the problem, which leaves fans frustrated and out of pocket.
Ticket Touts Exploit Global Workforce to Resell Concert Tickets at Inflated Prices
Ticket Touts Exploit Global Workforce to Resell Concert Tickets at Inflated Prices
An investigation reveals that ticket touts are employing overseas workers to rapidly acquire tickets for concerts in the UK, forcing genuine fans to settle for exorbitant prices.
Ticket touts are tapping into a global workforce to capitalize on the high demand for concert tickets, a recent investigation by the BBC has revealed. The findings highlight how UK fans of famed artists like Oasis and Taylor Swift are being priced out of the market as touts employ “ticket pullers” abroad to purchase tickets en masse and resell them at significantly inflated prices.
The report showcased how some touts are employing workers from countries like Pakistan and India, who are using advanced automated software to bypass ticket purchasing systems. One operator boasted about successfully acquiring hundreds of tickets for premium events and claimed that some UK touts made substantial profits—reportedly over £500,000 in a single year.
Recent ticket sales for Oasis's highly-anticipated reunion tour have sparked outrage among fans, with tickets listed on resale platforms for over £6,000—nearly 40 times their original price. The entire sale left numerous fans frustrated after waiting in lengthy online queues, only to find most tickets snatched up by those with illegal means.
Moreover, the investigation highlighted serious concerns about the integrity of ticketing firms. Industry insiders and ex-employees allege that these companies often fail to verify the origins of bulk-listed tickets, raising questions about how many tickets are legitimately obtained.
Critics of the current legislation, which the UK government is looking to tighten, suggest that more robust measures are needed to protect fans. For instance, despite new proposals to cap resale prices and take further enforcement action against reselling without authorization, many believe that these strategies fall short of curbing the significant issues caused by ticket touting.
The matter extends beyond music concerts, with evidence indicating similar patterns occurring in sports events, including thousands of illegally resold Premier League football tickets.
Despite the government's aim to better protect consumers and regulate ticket sales, the complex nature of this issue remains troubling. Industry sentiments reflect ongoing frustrations with both the ease of exploiting loopholes within the system and the inadequate response from authorities to protect the average ticket buyer from predatory practices.
