Thousands of people were left disappointed last weekend after missing out on tickets for the Manchester band’s reunion due to unprecedented demand.
There was also huge criticism from politicians and fans of the dynamic pricing strategy used in the sale, which saw some tickets soar to over €400.
Some fans were given the option of paying up to €415 for “in demand” standing tickets, which cost more than double the price of a €176.75 standard standing ticket for the band’s two nights in Croke Park next year.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it has opened an investigation following a review of more than 100 complaints from “very disappointed and frustrated fans” in the wake of the controversy.
“While companies in Ireland are allowed to respond to market demand, there are legitimate concerns over how consumers were treated and we have decided that an in-depth investigation is necessary,” said Brian McHugh, chair of the CCPC.
“If we find that consumer protection laws were broken we will take action.
“The CCPC is grateful to consumers who have taken the time to call or email our helpline to share their experiences with us as their stories have helped us develop a picture of last weekend’s events.”
In a statement, Ticketmaster said: “We are committed to cooperating with the CCPC and look forward to sharing more facts about the ticket sales with them.”
Earlier this week a number of Fianna Fáil politicians moved to ban dynamic pricing following the fiasco. Senator Timmy Dooley and TDs Niamh Smyth and Jim O’Callaghan are introducing a bill that would ban the use of dynamic pricing by primary ticket sellers like Ticketmaster.
This would add to legislation introduced in 2021 banning the resale of tickets above face value by ticket touts on the secondary market.
Mr O’Callaghan said the sale showed “fans do not know whether they will have to pay for tickets through dynamic pricing and how dynamic pricing models actually work”.
He said adding to the 2021 act would ensure fans are protected “from the experience of seeing ‘in demand’ tickets jumping significantly above the asking price that was initially advertised”.
Today’s News In 90 Seconds – 6th September 2024
Dynamic pricing is also set to be reviewed by the European Commission as part of a “fitness check” of EU consumer laws on digital fairness.
On Wednesday Oasis announced two new dates at Wembley Stadium in London due to “phenomenal public demand”, although new dates have not been announced for Croke Park.
It means brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher will play a total of 19 concerts in Ireland and the UK in 2025: seven at Wembley Stadium, five in Manchester’s Heaton Park, three at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, two at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and two at Croke Park.
Tickets for the new dates will be sold “by a staggered, invitation-only ballot process”.
Applications to enter the ballot for the new dates will first be opened to fans in the UK who were unable to buy tickets in the initial sale through Ticketmaster.
Earlier this week, the band said it was not aware that the controversial sales technique was going to be used.
Ticketmaster has said prices for all tickets, including platinum, in demand and VIP options, are set by artists and promoters.
The Manchester group said: “While prior meetings between promoters, Ticketmaster and the band’s management resulted in a positive ticket sale strategy, which would be a fair experience for fans, including dynamic ticketing to help keep general ticket prices down as well as reduce touting, the execution of the plan failed to meet expectations.
“All parties involved did their utmost to deliver the best possible fan experience, but due to the unprecedented demand this became impossible to achieve.”
However, Liam Gallagher took to Twitter on Friday saying the attitude about the reunion “stinks” amid fans airing their frustrations at being charged over-inflated prices for tickets.
The musician announced last week that he and his brother Noel Gallagher would come back for a reunion tour in 2025, and on August 31 the series of UK and Ireland shows sold out in less than a day.
Fans were beset with problems getting onto ticket websites, from being labelled bots and being kicked out of queuing.
Liam Gallagher also joked about his mother Peggy being “gutted she couldn’t get a ticket.”
He also said: “Smug only kidding, Smug as f***. I told you all we were gonna get back together one fine day.”
He also joked he had “loads” of tickets left but could only sell them for £100,000 and they would be “kneeling only”.
Many fans were asked to pay much more than had been advertised, due to demand.
The Manchester group said: “While prior meetings between promoters, Ticketmaster and the band’s management resulted in a positive ticket sale strategy, which would be a fair experience for fans, including dynamic ticketing to help keep general ticket prices down as well as reduce touting, the execution of the plan failed to meet expectations.
“All parties involved did their utmost to deliver the best possible fan experience, but due to the unprecedented demand this became impossible to achieve.”
Ticketmaster has said it is not responsible for pricing, which is set by promoters and acts.