Irish watchdog investigates Oasis ticketing

Irish watchdog the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has opened an investigation into Ticketmaster Ireland’s handling of the sale of Oasis reunion tour tickets.

The move follows a review of more than 100 complaints received by the CCPC helpline relating to the 31 August sale. The cost of some tickets for the band’s 16-17 August 2025 dates at Dublin’s Croke Park jumped from €176 to €415.50.

“The CCPC has reviewed more than 100 contacts from consumers who are very disappointed and frustrated about their experience of buying tickets for Oasis concerts,” says CCPC chair Brian McHugh. “While companies in Ireland are allowed to respond to market demand, there are legitimate concerns over how consumers were treated and we have decided that an in-depth investigation is necessary. If we find that consumer protection laws were broken, we will take action.

“The CCPC is grateful to consumers who have taken the time to call or email our helpline to share their experiences with us as their stories have helped us develop a picture of last weekend’s events.”

A statement from Ticketmaster Ireland says: “We are committed to cooperating with the CCPC and look forward to sharing more facts about the ticket sales with them.”

The situation mirrors that in the UK, where the Competition and Markets Authority launched a formal investigation into Ticketmaster last week

The situation mirrors that in the UK, where the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a formal investigation into Ticketmaster last week. The UK government has also announced it will be investigating dynamic ticket pricing amid the fallout, with the European Commission also set to examine the model.

A number of Irish politicians are also bidding to ban dynamic ticketing by tabling an amendment to existing legislation in the country. Unlike the UK, Ireland has outlawed the resale of tickets to large events at above face value since 2021.

“The 2021 Act protected fans from the experience of missing out on tickets and seeing those same tickets for sale on a secondary site for far more than they can afford or would be happy to pay,” said Jim O’Callaghan TD. “It now must be extended so we can protect fans from the experience of seeing ‘in demand’ tickets jumping significantly above the asking price that was initially advertised.”

Oasis, who are reuniting for their first shows since 2009, broke their silence on the ticketing row last week, denying knowledge that dynamic pricing would be utilised for the tour.

“It needs to be made clear that Oasis leave decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management, and at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used,” they said in a statement. “While prior meetings between promoters, Ticketmaster and the band’s management resulted in a positive ticket sale strategy, which would be a fair experience for fans, including dynamic ticketing to help keep general ticket prices down as well as reduce touting, the execution of the plan failed to meet expectations.

“All parties involved did their utmost to deliver the best possible fan experience, but due to the unprecedented demand this became impossible to achieve.”

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