Ticketmaster has announced a series of changes to make ticket sales clearer and fairer for fans, following widespread criticism over its pricing practices and scrutiny from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The update comes in the wake of fury from fans during the release of tickets for Oasis’s hugely anticipated tour last year. Many fans spent hours in online queues only to find that the tickets they hoped to buy were being sold at much higher prices than those initially advertised. Some tickets reportedly jumped from £148 to £355 once they went on sale, sparking complaints about misleading pricing and a lack of transparency.

The CMA highlighted two key concerns. First, fans waiting in lengthy queues had not been informed that standing tickets were being sold at two different prices, and that prices would increase as cheaper tickets sold out. Second, certain “platinum” tickets were being sold at almost 2.5 times the price of “standard” tickets, without properly explaining that these offered no additional benefits over other tickets in the same areas of the venue.

In response, Ticketmaster has agreed to a series of undertakings with the CMA, voluntarily committing to changes without any admission of wrongdoing or liability. Among the new measures, Ticketmaster must now notify fans at least 24 hours in advance if tiered pricing is being used, ensuring that buyers know when tickets for the same seats may carry different prices.

Fans will also see more detailed pricing information while waiting in online queues, allowing them to understand costs before reaching the checkout. Ticket descriptions will include additional information to help buyers make informed choices about which tickets to purchase, and misleading labels that suggest one ticket is “better” than another when it is not will no longer be allowed.

The CMA will also receive regular reports over the next two years on how Ticketmaster is implementing these changes, increasing accountability and transparency.

Industry experts welcomed the reforms as a positive step for ticket buyers, though challenges such as high resale prices and scalping remain. For fans, the changes are designed to reduce confusion, prevent misleading marketing, and make the ticket-buying process less stressful.

While it remains to be seen how these undertakings will play out in practice, the CMA said the agreements are “an important step in making the ticketing market work better for consumers.”