Viagogo defends listing Oasis tickets for inflated prices - despite warning from band over reselling

31 August 2024, 13:54 | Updated: 31 August 2024, 14:02

Photo of Noel GALLAGHER and Liam GALLAGHER and OASIS
On social media, Oasis said tickets on secondary ticketing sites are either counterfeit or will be cancelled. Picture: Getty

By Flaminia Luck

Viagogo has defended reselling Oasis tickets for thousands of pounds on its website following the Britpop group warning fans that passes would be "cancelled" if not sold on an official site.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

As the Manchester rockers' shows went on general sale at 9am on Saturday, they told their followers that Ticketmaster and Twickets should only be used for resales, and they should only be bought at "face value".

On X, Oasis also wrote: "Tickets appearing on other secondary ticketing sites are either counterfeit or will be cancelled by the promoters."

A similar post by the band had also been shared on Friday following pre-sale tickets being released.

That same day, Viagogo put Wembley Stadium shows on sale for up to £5,909, and by Saturday following the general sale beginning in the morning, two tickets for a London show had been listed for £11,313 each.

Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff shows also had high prices with some Heaton Park shows listed at £26,005 each for two tickets.

However, there did not appear to be tickets being sold on the Viagogo website for the two Croke Park shows in Dublin.

Read more: Oasis reunion ticket prices revealed as Gallagher brothers announce three more dates after 'unprecedented demand'

Read more: Some lucky Oasis fans sent pre-sale codes for 2025 reunion tour ahead of general release tomorrow

Screens at Wembley Stadium advertise the forthcoming OASIS gigs
Screens at Wembley Stadium advertise the forthcoming Oasis gigs. Picture: Getty

The Irish government introduced a law banning ticket touting in 2021.

It prevents the resale of tickets at above face value, and warns people violating the rule can face a 100,000 euro (£84,245) fine or up to two years in prison.

'Dream event'

Cris Miller, Viagogo global managing director, said in a statement to the PA news agency that Oasis is a "dream event anticipated by millions worldwide", and his company is making the life of fans easier as official sellers were "struggling to manage demand even before the on-sale".

He added: "We know fans are frustrated with the process and we know there is a better way. We continue to support industry collaboration to ensure the entire ticketing market works for fans and the live entertainment industry.

"Resale is legal in the UK and fans are always protected by our guarantee that they will receive their tickets in time for the event or their money back."

He also said: "Our number-one tip for fans using secondary marketplaces is to continue to check prices outside of the first few weeks of sale.

"Demand will be at its peak when tickets hit the on-sale but it's not a normal reflection of what tickets can and will go for. Just this summer, tickets for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in the UK sold on our platform for as low as £80."

When Viagogo was asked by PA about Oasis saying it violates the ticket terms and conditions if sold on non-official secondary markets, a spokeswoman said it "doesn't sell tickets or set prices", and sees itself as a "regulated" marketplace for fans to offer passes.

She added: "Resale restrictions vary from event to event and are disclosed by the primary ticket seller in accordance with regulations set out by the (Competition and Markets Authority) CMA. "The listing of tickets on our platform is permitted once tickets become available to the public - including following a pre-sale event.

"We oppose anti-competitive actions taken by event organisers to restrict purchasing and resale options to certain platforms in an attempt to control the market as they ultimately harm fans by limiting their choice. Prohibiting free market resale - as seen in Ireland - only leads to a surge in scams.

"We continue to support industry collaboration to create a wider competitive market, making it easier for concert-goers to purchase tickets through their preferred channels.

Oasis Original Line Up 1993
Oasis Original Line Up 1993. Picture: Getty

"Our safe, regulated marketplace helps millions of fans worldwide get into gigs every day on their terms, with the confidence of being protected by our guarantee."

There were some issues reported at official websites Ticketmaster, See Tickets and Gigs and Tours, but fans have reported being able to buy tickets on Saturday morning.

A report by the Irish Government in 2022 found the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021 "appeared to be working well in curbing above-face-value secondary ticket sales on online platforms".

It was also confident that the Irish police force, the Garda Siochana, would deal with any issues of "increased street touting".

The Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has been contacted for a response.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Flights resume as Heathrow re-opens at Heathrow on March 22, 2025 in London, England.

Over 90 airlines threaten Heathrow with legal action after airport shut down due to substation fire

Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, from left, US President Donald Trump, and Pete Hegseth, US secretary of defense.

Trump's team make MAGA mistake after revealing secret war plans to journalist accidentally added to group chat

Amen T

Second boy charged with murder of 15-year-old found dead in Glasgow street

University students march across Galata bridge during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and jailed

More than 1,000 arrested as protests continue to sweep Istanbul after Erdogan rival detained on corruption charges

Emergency services at the scene after an explosion at a building thought to be a gas leak, in Via Pio Foà and Via Vitellia, in Rome, Sunday, March 23, 2025.

Scottish tourist hospitalised with severe burns after explosion destroys three-storey building in Rome

Police hunting the alpaca attacker were seen at the scene on Sunday after four animals killed.

Police hunt alpaca attacker after four animals killed with fifth 'shot in the face' in 'highly distressing' incident

Ant Middleton gives a speech at the Reform Party 2024 Conference

TV star Ant Middleton banned as director at own company over £1m unpaid tax

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak during joint press conference with Czech Rebublic's President Petr Pavel in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky).

Zelenskyy claims US officials influenced by Russia - as Kremlin confirms Putin portrait gift to Trump

Bayford won a whopping £148million EuroMillions jackpot with then-wife Gillian in 2012.

EuroMillions jackpot winner scraps plans to build children's theme park on country estate

d

Three gangsters guilty of botched bid to murder mastermind behind Britain's biggest robbery

Annie Kilner has admitted having mobile phone behind wheel of her £70,000 Mercedes

Kyle Walker's wife fined after pleading guilty to using phone behind wheel of her car

University of London Queen Mary College Queens Building in Mile End Road London

Students left horrified after camera discovered under desk at university

Heathrow’s backup power 'was never designed to support whole airport,' the Transport Secretary has said.

Heathrow’s backup power 'was never designed to support whole airport,' says Transport Secretary

Exclusive
Screen grab taken from PA Video of Heathrow Airport CEO Thomas Woldbye issuing a statement following the disruption at the airport throughout the day following a fire at a electric substation nearby. Picture date: Friday March 21, 2025.

Heathrow boss to be hauled in and quizzed by MPs following airport shutdown

Ashton Hall

Influencer rubs banana on face and dunks himself in ice water at 5am as bizarre 18-step morning routine goes viral

The case was found in one sheep on a farm in Yorkshire

World’s first case of bird flu in sheep found on UK farm