Ticketmaster UK faces investigation over Bruce Springsteen ticket sales

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster UK over concerns about the way it sold tickets for Bruce Springsteen's upcoming tour.

The CMA said it was concerned that Ticketmaster may have breached competition law by giving preferential treatment to certain customers.

The investigation will focus on whether Ticketmaster gave priority access to tickets to certain customers, such as those who had previously purchased tickets for Springsteen concerts or those who had signed up to Ticketmaster's fan club.

The investigation will also look at whether Ticketmaster used bots to buy up tickets in order to resell them at higher prices.

The CMA said it was concerned that these practices may have prevented other fans from getting tickets to the concerts.

Ticketmaster has said it is cooperating with the CMA's investigation.

The CMA has the power to take enforcement action against companies that breach competition law, including imposing fines or requiring them to change their practices.

The investigation is the latest in a series of probes into the secondary ticketing market.

In 2018, the CMA found that Ticketmaster had breached competition law by preventing other ticket sellers from competing with it.

The CMA also found that Ticketmaster had used bots to buy up tickets in order to resell them at higher prices.

The investigation is likely to take several months to complete.

If the CMA finds that Ticketmaster has breached competition law, it could impose fines or require the company to change its practices.

The CMA's investigation is a welcome step towards ensuring that the secondary ticketing market is fair and competitive.