Industry threads say UK move would clamp down on rip-off resale prices
Online festival conversations are buzzing about reports that the UK government is preparing measures to cap secondary ticket resales at face value and to cap service fees charged by resale platforms. If enacted, the change would be one of the biggest moves yet to tackle scalping and sky-high ticket markups ahead of big festival seasons.
For festival-goers this would mean fewer surprise price hikes on the secondary market and more predictable costs when trying to buy last-minute tickets. For promoters and official ticketing partners it raises questions about enforcement, how refunds and transfers are handled, and whether resale platforms will alter their business models to comply.
- What’s being discussed: caps on resale prices to match original face value and limits on extra service charges.
- Potential impact: easier access for genuine fans, pressure on ticket resale marketplaces, and possible shifts to alternative channels or verification systems.
- Main concerns: enforcement logistics, exemptions (charity auctions, verified fan exchanges), and whether limits will encourage under-the-table or peer-to-peer swaps outside regulated platforms.
Festival communities are split — many welcome anything that reduces rip-off prices, while others worry about unintended consequences, like reduced liquidity on the resale market or new fees disguised in other ways. Organisers and ticketing companies will be watching any formal guidance closely.
We’re tracking developments and will update the Festival Wire when concrete details or official announcements surface. For now, treat the discussion as a major signal from the scene: fans want fairer resale rules, and policy debates are heating up.