European Live Events Sector Calls On EU To Stop Predatory Ticket Resale

More than 130 representatives of the European live events industry have signed an open letter to EU justice commissioner Michael McGrath, calling for help to put an end to unauthorised ticket resale in the EU. The list of signees includes including artists like Rammstein, festivals like Sziget, most major agencies, and some of the continents finest promoters and management companies.

Further signatories include German the management companies of Ed Sheeran, Nick Cave, Oasis and Radiohead, alongside agents representing Florence + The Machine, Fontaines D.C., Gorillaz, Harry Styles, Katy Perry, Lorde, Olivia Dean, Sam Smith, and more.

The letter also has backing from venues, theatre troupes, and orchestras – from the Czech National Theatre and the Estonian Drama Theatre to the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

It is supported by key associations such as the Sports Rights Owners Coalition, European festival association Yourope, which comprises 138 members from 31 countries, and the Association of Independent Music Ireland.

The letter asks that the EU expands the scope of the Digital Fairness Act (DFA) to tackle ticket resale abuse. The upcoming law aims to strengthen consumer protection against unfair online practices.

According to a press release from the Face Value European Alliance For Ticketing (FEAT), “unauthorized platforms continue to facilitate industrial-scale ticket scalping, worth some €2.5 billion annually,” across Europe.

It continues, “Each year, ticket scalpers are known to prey on tens of thousands of consumers (although the true number may be much higher), selling tickets at extortionate prices that are fake or duplicated, or that otherwise break the terms and conditions of entry. Fans are regularly turned away, in many cases having also paid significant sums for travel and overnight accommodation.

“Despite the introduction of stricter rules for online platforms in the Digital Services Act, the letter expresses frustration that new mechanisms for reporting illegal ticket offers have yet to prove effective. Members of FEAT, an organisation campaigning on ticket resale, have so far reported nearly 1,000 illegally offered tickets without a single takedown. Websites such as Viagogo, StubHub International, Gigsberg and Ticombo continue to contravene EU and national laws while taking advantage of consumers and event organisers.

“With the European Commission currently undertaking its impact assessment on the DFA, the letter calls for the EU to finally act on predatory ticket resale – a move that would be welcomed across the live events sector.”

The full letter as well as list of signatories can be found here on FEAT’s website.

The Digital Fairness Act, which is currently in the consultation stage, is not to be mistaken for the Digital Services Act, which came into effect in 2023/2024, and sets rules for online platforms intended to protect users from illegal content and rights violations.

The EU Commissions has stated that the Digital Services Act already addressed “several aspects of the challenges that consumers may encounter online.” However, since “problematic commercial practices concern all types of traders, including those not falling under the scope of the Digital Services Act, such as e-commerce websites and digital services that are not based on content intermediation,” it has deemed further legislation necessary.

‘Clear Process For Removing Illegal Tickets’: EU’s Digital Services Act Comes Into Force

Comments:

Sam Shemtob, MD of FEAT, “World-famous German metal pioneers Rammstein have joined forces with Hungary’s Mesebolt Puppet Theatre, national sports bodies and representatives of some of the biggest stars in music to tell the EU that action is needed on unauthorised ticket resale. Enforcement isn’t working, and the Digital Fairness Act offers a one-off chance to specifically address the problem. The EU risks falling behind if it misses this opportunity.”

Christof Huber, chairman of Yourope, “For years, platform operators with unfair and harmful business models have been taking advantage of our fans and customers. Yet we do not have the tools at our disposal to confront Viagogo and Co. in the way we would like to. As a representative of festivals across the continent, YOUROPE calls on the European Commission to act in the interest of those who guarantee millions in honest tax revenue and work for thousands of creative professionals and artists.”

Claire Turnham MBE, founder, Victim of Viagogo, “Fans deserve fairness and safety, not exploitation and harm. We urge the EU to act now to protect consumers and stop industrial-scale ticket abuse.”

Erica Crompton, President of The Entertainment Agents’ Association, “As representatives of trusted agencies across the UK, we strongly endorse this call for decisive EU-wide action. Unauthorised resale continues to mislead consumers and damage public confidence. The Digital Fairness Act must address resale head-on to restore fairness, trust and transparency. This is a vital opportunity to safeguard the live events economy.”

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