UK Music Industry Urges Government to Deliver Ticket Touting Ban

The latest intervention, led by the FanFair Alliance, calls on the Prime Minister to follow through on earlier commitments under the “Put Fans First” pledge and introduce legislation that would effectively end large-scale ticket touting. The message reflects a long-running industry frustration that despite repeated consultations and policy signals, meaningful enforcement has yet to fully materialise at scale.

At the centre of the argument is the gap between primary ticket pricing and secondary market resale values, which industry groups say has created a parallel market dominated by professional resellers rather than genuine fans. Platforms such as Viagogo and StubHub have repeatedly been cited in policy debates, with critics pointing to inflated markups on high-demand shows and limited transparency around inventory sources.

The FanFair Alliance, which brings together a broad cross-section of the UK music ecosystem including artist managers, promoters and labels, argues that current conditions continue to expose fans to systematic overpricing while undermining access to live music. The group maintains that existing regulatory tools are insufficient to address the scale and structure of modern ticket resale activity, particularly where listings are driven by automated or bulk purchasing operations.

Recent government positioning has indicated support for stronger intervention, including potential restrictions on resale pricing and tighter obligations on platforms facilitating secondary sales. Industry stakeholders have welcomed the direction of travel but continue to press for clarity on timing and enforcement mechanisms, particularly as high-demand tours and festival tickets remain vulnerable to rapid secondary market inflation.

The renewed call also reflects broader concern across the live sector that the economic impact of touting extends beyond individual consumers, affecting artist pricing strategies, venue accessibility, and long-term audience development. For many in the industry, the issue is increasingly framed as structural rather than opportunistic, with resale dynamics now embedded into the lifecycle of major ticket releases.

While the government has previously signalled intent to act, the FanFair Alliance statement underscores a growing expectation from within the music business that policy commitments now require legislative delivery, particularly as demand for live entertainment continues to outpace supply across key markets.