Home / Business and Economy / UK Bans Ticket Resale Profits, Limits Fees for Consumers
UK Bans Ticket Resale Profits, Limits Fees for Consumers
17 Nov
Summary
- Ticket resale for profit to be outlawed
- Resellers can only charge original purchase price
- Resale platforms allowed to charge limited fees
In a move to crack down on ticket scalping, the UK government has announced plans to outlaw the resale of tickets for profit. As of 2025-11-17T18:12:05+00:00, touts and ordinary consumers will no longer be able to charge more than the original purchase price when reselling tickets.
The decision comes after a consultation process that ended earlier this year. Ministers had considered allowing resellers to charge up to 130% of the face value, but have now opted for a stricter approach. Under the new legislation, which could be part of the 2026 King's Speech, anyone selling a ticket will be prohibited from profiting.
Resale platforms like Viagogo and StubHub will be allowed to charge additional fees, but these will be limited, though the exact ceiling is yet to be determined. The platforms will also be legally liable if sellers on their sites do not comply with the new rules, which will be enforced by the Competition and Markets Authority.
The legislation aims to address the "pernicious" practices of ticket touts, who have been able to make significant profits by hoarding tickets and reselling them at inflated prices. The move has been welcomed by dozens of high-profile artists, who had called on the government to take action.
