New UK secondary ticketing regs come into force
New rules that require all ticket resellers in the UK to provide buyers with a unique ticket number (UTN), along with other information such as the ticket’s face value, come into force today (6 April).
The new regulations, announced in February, are described by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as a way to “better protect fans from rip-off prices” on secondary sites.
From today, ticket resellers must:
- Identify the location to which the ticket provides access – such as the particular seat or standing area of the venue
- Disclose any restrictions around who can use the ticket or how it must be used (eg alongside ID of the original buyer)
- Disclose the original price of the ticket
- Reveal details of any connections they have with either the site on which they are selling, or the organiser of the event for which the ticket is being sold
- Supply the UTN – which identifies the ticket’s seat, standing area or location – if the promoter has specified one
Consumer Minister Andrew Griffiths (pictured) says:“Fans have a right to know exactly what they’re signing up to on ticket resale websites, but all too often people are left feeling ripped off when the ticket doesn’t match expectations.
“We are already taking steps to crack down on touts using ‘bots’ to bulk buy tickets for resale and today’s new rules will also improve transparency in this market.”
“So-called secondary ticketing sites should now have complete clarity of their legal obligations,” Adam Webb, campaign manager for anti-touting campaign group FanFair Alliance. “Combined with enforcement action, these welcome updates and additions to consumer law will result in greater protection for audiences and help development of a more transparent and fan-friendly ticket resale market.”
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UK govt bolsters secondary ticketing regs
The British government has announced new regulations intended to protect UK consumers from “rip-off” secondary ticket prices.
Under the new rules, which come into force in April, resellers will be required to provide information about tickets, including the location of seats, disclosure of any restrictions and the original price of the ticket itself, as required by the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
For the first time, secondary sellers will also have to supply a unique ticket number (UTN) if the event promoter or primary seller specifies one, helping consumers identify the ticket’s seat, standing area or location.
Businesses who fail to comply are liable to face a fine of up to £5,000 for each breach, according to guidance published today.
Consumer minister Andrew Griffiths (pictured) says: “All too often, people are left feeling ripped off when buying tickets from resale websites. Whether it’s a major music festival or a stadium concert, people want to know they’re paying a fair price for tickets to see the events they love.
“If properly enforced, we believe these updates will better protect UK audiences and event organisers”
“We are already taking steps to crack down on touts using bots to bulk buy tickets for resale and the CMA is investigating suspected breaches of consumer protection law online, and today we are going even further, making it easier for consumers to understand what they are buying to help save them from rip off ticket prices.”
“Later this year, we will also publish a consumer green paper which will examine how we can help people to engage with markets to find the best deals,” he adds.
Adam Webb, campaign manager for anti-touting group FanFair Alliance, welcomes the announcement, saying that, “if properly enforced, we believe these updates will better protect UK audiences and event organisers. They should also provide greater clarity to secondary ticketing platforms of their legal responsibilities, and increase overall transparency in what is frequently a murky and under-regulated sector.”
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