OFT Studies Ticket Agents

Last updated: 03/08/2006 - 14:01

The OFT has launched a fact-finding study into the ways agents offering tickets for entertainment and sporting events operate.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has launched a short fact-finding study into ticket agents to assess how effectively the supply of tickets for entertainment and sporting events is working for consumers.

The study will focus on:

  • Arrangements that exist between event organisers and ticket agents


  • Price transparency for consumers including booking fees


  • Whether the consumer protection regulations applying to ticket agents work effectively.


    • The OFT has received a number of complaints about ticket agencies on issues including the levelling of excessive booking fees, lack of choice due to alleged exclusivity agreements between ticket agents and event organisers, and problems with redress in the event of cancellation.

    Consumers either buy tickets direct from the box office or through a ticket agent who normally charges processing and postage fees. The turnover of agents selling tickets for entertainment events is around £80m-£100m per year.

    The OFT will be speaking to industry participants and consumer bodies as part of the study, which is expected to be published later this year.

    The existing consumer protection measures which apply to ticket agents include:

    Control of Misleading Advertising Regulations, Distance Selling Regulations and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations.

    There are a number of possible outcomes from a short study of this kind, including:

  • A clean bill of health if the market is seen to be working effectively


  • Taking enforcement action under existing consumer protection regulations


  • Taking enforcement action under the Competition Act (1998) or EC law


  • A full OFT market study


  • Recommending change to statutory regulation


  • Recommending change to industry self regulation


  • A market investigation reference to the Competition Commission, if this is justified


  • A campaign to alert consumers to their rights

    • More information available in Arts & Culture, On Stage, Festivals

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