Wed Feb 05 19:50:00 IST 2025: ## Ticketmaster UK Boss Defends Oasis Ticket Prices Amidst MP Scrutiny
**London** – The head of Ticketmaster UK, Andrew Parsons, defended the company’s pricing practices before the Business and Trade Select Committee today, following widespread fan complaints about inflated Oasis reunion tour ticket prices. While fans reported paying up to £350 per ticket – significantly more than initially advertised – Parsons insisted Ticketmaster doesn’t set prices, claiming they are determined beforehand by event organizers. He stated that any price variations offered are choices made by the organizers, and that selling a limited number of higher-priced tickets is “fairly reasonable.”
Parsons denied accusations of dynamic pricing during the general sale, asserting that there’s no algorithm or bot manipulating prices. He emphasized that Ticketmaster works closely with organizers to sell tickets at pre-agreed prices, adding that capturing the value determined by the artist prevents tickets from falling into the hands of touts. Oasis themselves previously distanced themselves from the pricing, stating that ticketing decisions rest with their promoters and management.
The committee did not directly question Parsons about the Oasis sale, as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is already investigating potential breaches of consumer-protection law. However, MP Charlie Maynard urged the CMA to launch a separate investigation into Live Nation’s, Ticketmaster’s parent company, dominant market share. Parsons countered that Ticketmaster and Live Nation operate separately and that the UK ticketing market is highly competitive.
Ticketmaster expressed support for the government’s proposed cap on ticket resale, suggesting a 30% cap, while acknowledging it might still allow some touting activity. This follows Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy’s recent announcement of plans to crack down on touts.
First Piper 