Ticketmaster UK: Competition and Markets Authority gives green light for £15-a-ticket cap
CMA clears Ticketmaster takeover of Ents24 over secondary ticketing concerns
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved Ticketmaster's acquisition of Ents24 after the two companies agreed to a series of conditions to address competition concerns.
The CMA was concerned that the merger would give Ticketmaster too much control over the secondary ticketing market, which allows fans to resell tickets they can no longer use.
CMA approves Ticketmaster-Ents24 merger with conditions
The CMA has approved the merger of Ticketmaster and Ents24, subject to conditions designed to address competition concerns.
The CMA was concerned that the merger would give Ticketmaster too much control over the secondary ticketing market, which allows fans to resell tickets they can no longer use.
Conditions of the CMA's approval
As a condition of its approval, the CMA has ordered Ticketmaster to:
- Cap resale prices at 15% above the original purchase price
- Allow fans to resell tickets on other platforms
- Provide more information to fans about the secondary ticketing market
The CMA believes that these conditions will ensure that the merger does not harm competition in the secondary ticketing market.
Ticketmaster and Ents24 welcome CMA approval
Ticketmaster and Ents24 have welcomed the CMA's approval of their merger.
Ticketmaster said that the merger will allow it to "create a better experience for fans" and "invest in new products and services."
Ents24 said that the merger will "create a stronger challenger to the dominant players in the ticketing market."
Reaction to the CMA's decision
The CMA's decision has been welcomed by consumer groups.
Which? said that the CMA's conditions "will help to protect fans from being ripped off by ticket touts."
Conclusion
The CMA's approval of the Ticketmaster-Ents24 merger is a significant development in the UK ticketing market.
The conditions imposed by the CMA will ensure that the merger does not harm competition in the secondary ticketing market and that fans continue to have a choice of where to buy and sell tickets.
