Ticket reseller Viagogo has defended having Oasis tickets on sale for inflated prices on its platform as a “legal” practice.
Fans of the Britpop band called out “disgusting” prices for tickets relisted on Viagogo, some more than £5,000 each, as they appeared just minutes after the Oasis pre-sale opened on Friday night.
The band announced on Tuesday that it would be reforming after 15 years and performing a string of gigs across the UK and Ireland next year, including four nights at Wembley Stadium.
But Oasis was forced to issue a second warning about relisted tickets on Saturday morning as millions scrambled to snap up general sale tickets.
The band wrote on X: “Please note, Oasis Live ‘25 tickets can only be resold at face value via @TicketmasterUK and @Twickets!
“Tickets appearing on other secondary ticketing sites are either counterfeit or will be cancelled by the promoters.”
It came after a similar warning to fans on Friday night.
In response Cris Miller, Viagogo global managing director, told PA news agency: “This is a dream event anticipated by millions worldwide.
“Our number-one tip for fans using secondary marketplaces is to continue to check prices outside of the first few weeks of sale.
“Demand will be at its peak when tickets hit the on-sale but it’s not a normal reflection of what tickets can and will go for. Just this summer tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in the UK sold on our platform for as low as £80.
“In the case of Oasis – a highly anticipated event – we saw the primary sites struggling to manage demand even before the on-sale, and site crashes.
“We know fans are frustrated with the process and we know there is a better way. We continue to support industry collaboration to ensure the entire ticketing market works for fans and the live entertainment industry.
“Resale is legal in the UK and fans are always protected by our guarantee that they will receive their tickets in time for the event or their money back.”
Meanwhile music industry leaders are warning Oasis fans not to buy resale tickets.
UK Music chief executive Tom Kiehl said: “It’s a great concern to see what’s happening with the inflated ticket prices – really unfair on fans.
“I think that the statement from Oasis last night really underlines the fact that the terms and conditions are quite clear, that these should be resold for face value.”
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Kiehl added: “Obviously, it’s a natural tendency if you can’t get tickets, to find alternative sources. But I very much urge music music fans today, if they don’t get tickets, not to take that route.”
Chief executive of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers, Jonathan Brown, said that fans need to “open their eyes and protect themselves”.
He added: “It’s a dreadful combination, I suppose, you’ve got that high level of emotion, a high level of excitement about Oasis reforming, and a limited supply of tickets – and that’s going to lead to problems, it’s going to lead to people trying to scam people.”
