Photo credit: www.billboard.com
Oasis Reunion Tour Tickets Cancelled in Bot Crackdown by Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster has embarked on a substantial cancellation of tickets for the much-anticipated Oasis reunion tour, targeting the use of automated bots that have disrupted the purchasing process.
Initially, tickets for the U.K. and Ireland shows were made available for purchase in August 2024. The sales event, however, faced numerous challenges, including significant wait times and a dynamic pricing model that resulted in unexpected price increases for many fans.
Despite a concerted effort to combat ticket scalping, reports indicate that over 50,000 tickets found their way to resale platforms, where they were often listed at exorbitant prices.
Promoters Live Nation and SJM Concerts previously released a statement emphasizing that tickets could only be resold at no more than the original cost, which includes face value and any booking fees. They urged fans to use authorized resale partners, Ticketmaster and Twickets, warning that any sales via unauthorized platforms could lead to cancellations.
Following this crackdown, Ticketmaster has started notifying certain ticket holders that their purchases have been refunded due to the indication that bots were used to secure them, which violates the tour’s stated terms and conditions.
A message from Ticketmaster explained that these regulations were specifically designed to mitigate unauthorized resale for profit. Fans have been strongly cautioned against buying tickets from unapproved resale websites to avoid potential fraud and refunds.
Some fans, however, have voiced their frustrations on social media, claiming that their legitimate tickets have been mistakenly cancelled. One disappointed fan remarked, “If 2025 could actually get any worse – now I don’t even have this to look forward to anymore,” alongside a notification from Ticketmaster confirming the cancellation of their tickets.
Another fan expressed their disbelief, stating, “So what’s this complete sh-tshow? Sat on my laptop for hours on general sale day to secure just TWO tickets for ONE gig and you’re telling me I’m a bot and a tout!” They shared images of their ticket purchasing setup, which consisted of a single device with multiple tabs open.
Reports from reputable sources like BBC and The Guardian have highlighted similar accounts from fans, some of whom expressed feelings of devastation over their cancelled tickets.
Billboard UK has reached out to Ticketmaster for further clarification regarding the situation. The Oasis Refunds FAQ page provides guidance for ticket purchasers who suspect they have been wrongfully refunded, directing them to review the correspondence from Ticketmaster.
After ticket sales commenced, the band reacted to reports of tickets being listed on resale platforms for exorbitant amounts, reaching as high as £10,000 ($12,412). The band reiterated that tickets could only be resold at face value through the aforementioned authorized channels.
“Tickets sold in breach of the terms and conditions will be cancelled by the promoters,” they warned. Meanwhile, Twickets echoed this sentiment, urging consumers not to purchase tickets above face value, confirming that official resale would only occur at face value through their platform.
Oasis’ highly anticipated reunion tour is set to begin at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, on July 4, with plans to perform in Manchester, London, Edinburgh, and Dublin across 19 scheduled dates. Following the U.K. leg, the tour is expected to expand to North America, Latin America, Australia, and Asia later in the year.
Source
www.billboard.com