Watchdog opens investigation into Ticketmaster Ireland's handling of Oasis ticket sales

Ellen O'Donoghue

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has opened an investigation into Ticketmaster Ireland and its handling of the sale of Oasis tickets last weekend.

The investigation comes following a review of over 100 complaints received by the CCPC helpline.

Chair of the CCPC, Brian McHugh, said that the watchdog reviewed the complaints by disappointed and frustrated consumers.

"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. If we find that consumer protection laws were broken we will take action," Mr McHugh said.

"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."

As of Friday, September 6th, the competition watchdog said that 108 consumers had contacted them in relation to buying tickets for Oasis.

This comes after hundreds of thousands of fans who waited in queues for more than three hours for tickets to the band's two gigs at Dublin's Croke Park thinking they would pay the initially advertised rate of €176, ended up paying more than double at €400 when the tickets for Oasis's highly anticipated reunion went on sale.

They were left shocked when they found prices for standing tickets had rocketed by the time they finally got the opportunity to make a purchase.

Some were quoted at €415.50 each due to dynamic pricing.

When asked about this issue by the PA news agency, Ticketmaster made clear it does not set the prices.

It is understood that the prices are set by the promoters, not the artists.

A statement from the CCPC said that they would welcome written comments and any supporting materials from consumers about their experience of buying, or attempting to buy, Oasis tickets on the weekend of August 31st, 2024.

As an investigation has now been opened, the statement continued, the CCPC cannot provide further comment.

Earlier this week, a number of Fianna Fáil politicians launched a bid to ban so-called “dynamic pricing” in Ireland following the controversy.

They said they will introduce a Bill that would extend existing legislation outlawing the resale of tickets above face value, and would also prohibit the sale of tickets for prices that have been adjusted by primary ticket sellers.

Senator Timmy Dooley has said the use of dynamic pricing by primary ticket sellers must be banned.

He and a number of colleagues are to introduce the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) (Amendment) Bill 2024.

On Wednesday, Oasis announced new Wembley Stadium dates using a new ticketing plan following the chaos over the weekend.

Liam and Noel Gallagher have extended their Live ’25 tour to include two more London shows on September 27th and 28th 2025, using a new “staggered invitation-only ballot process” with applications to join the ballot opened first to those who were unsuccessful in the initial sale.

A statement said: “It needs to be made clear that Oasis leave decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management, and at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used.

“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.”

Additional reporting by PA.