Resale tickets in UK to face price cap in touting crackdown
- Text by Isaac Muk
- Photography by Shutterstock
The British government has announced a price cap on resale tickets in an attempt to curb the ticket touting industry.
It will apply to tickets resold across the live events industry, including sport, music, theatre, and comedy.
How much the cap will be will be decided after a public consultation launched by culture minister Lisa Nandy, with the BBC reporting that it will fall somewhere between the original price of a ticket and 30% above its face value.
Capping resale ticket prices was one of the ruling Labour party’s pre-election pledges, following the rise of extortionate resale prices faced by fans on the second hand market as ticket touts bulk buy tickets to resell them at inflated prices.
Also on the consultation’s agenda is “increasing the accountability of ticket resale websites and apps”, by creating regulations that make them responsible to Trading Standards and the Competition and Market Authority (CMA).
CMA investigations had found that tickets sold via resale markets were usually listed at 50% above face value. Particularly in demand shows in 2024, such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Oasis reunion gigs, saw tickets being listed over £1,000 after tickets sold out.
In a press statement, Fatboy Slim said: “Great to see money being put back into fans pockets instead of resellers. Fully behind this effort to make sure more people can enjoy incredible arts and music events across the country without being ripped off. It is part of the change this government were elected to make.”
Follow Isaac on Bluesky.
Buy your copy of Huck 81 here.
Enjoyed this article? Follow Huck on Instagram.
Support stories like this by becoming a member of Club Huck.
You might like
Last week’s election should be a warning to Labour
Without delivering real change, really fast, Starmer risks setting the stage for a resurgent far-right argues Green New Deal Rising co-director Fatima Ibrahim
Written by: Fatima Ibrahim
In west London, Subbuteo is alive and flicking
London Subbuteo Club — The tabletop football game sees players imitate vintage teams with tactics and tiny painted replica kits. Ryan Loftus takes a trip to Fulham to meet a dedicated community and witness a titanic Brazil vs Coventry City showdown.
Written by: Ryan Loftus
Leticia Bufoni is one of the greatest skaters ever. Now she’s tearing up asphalt.
Vamos, Leticia! — The Brazilian trailblazer helped rewrite the rulebook for women in skateboarding – and now she’s setting the pace behind the wheel for Porsche. For Huck’s 20th Anniversary Issue, she reflects on shredding stereotypes, building a career in male-dominated spaces, empowering the next generation, and the lessons that defined her journey.
Written by: Tracy Kawalik
Jodie Ounsley: “Sometimes your biggest strength is admitting when you’re struggling”
Hard Feelings — Fury from the latest generation of Gladiators joins our column on masculinity, speaking to Robert Kazandjian about her new book, her close relationship with her late father, and being a role model for both young boys and girls.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian
What we’re excited for at SXSW 2026
Austin 40 — For the festival’s 40th anniversary edition, we are heading to Texas to join one of the biggest global meetups of the year. We’ve selected a few things to highlight on your schedules.
Written by: Huck
Activists hack London billboards to call out big tech harm
Tax Big Tech: With UK youth mental health services under strain, guerrilla billboards across the capital accuse social media companies of profiting from a growing crisis.
Written by: Ella Glossop
