Watchdog opens investigation into Ticketmaster Ireland over Oasis tickets

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission reviewed more than 100 complaints received by the CCPC helpline

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it opened an investigation into Ticketmaster Ireland and its handling of the sale of Oasis tickets following a review of more than 100 complaints received by the CCPC helpline.

Ireland’s competition authority has opened an investigation into Ticketmaster Ireland over its handling of the sale of tickets to the two Oasis concerts in Croke Park next year.

The band announced last week that they are coming back for a reunion tour in 2025 which includes two dates in Dublin on August 16 and August 17.

However, fans were beset with problems getting onto ticket websites, from being labelled bots and being kicked out of queuing to some ending up paying more than the advertised price of €86.50 plus booking fees for a standing ticket. Some were quoted €415.50 per ticket.

The dynamic pricing of the tickets employed by Ticketmaster, which saw prices for tickets increase from the advertised price, drew widespread criticism.

On Friday, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it has opened an investigation into Ticketmaster Ireland and its handling of the sale of Oasis tickets following a review of more than 100 complaints received by the CCPC helpline.

CCPC chair Brian McHugh said 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,” he 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.” 

The CCPC said it would welcome written comments and any supporting materials from consumers about their experience of buying, or attempting to buy Oasis tickets.

The UK competition watchdog, Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has also launched an investigation into Ticketmaster over Oasis concert ticket sales.

Ticketmaster maintains it does not set concert prices and its website states this is down to the “event organiser” who “has priced these tickets according to their market value”.