Oasis fans can sue Ticketmaster for damages over its hated dynamic pricing model. The seller may have breached consumer protection laws while the government, competition authorities and EU regulators investigate the fiasco.

Oasis fans may potentially sue Ticketmaster over the unpopular dynamic pricing model the company has introduced for ticket sales for the band’s highly anticipated reunion tour.

Lawyers have said that using the system, which allows the operator to sell “in-demand” tickets at a higher price, may violate consumer law.

Richard Pike, a partner at Fieldfisher, told The Telegraph that those who bought tickets at inflated prices could take legal action against the company for breaches of consumer law, common law or misrepresentation.

“You would have to file a lawsuit in the Supreme Court… As far as the merits of a lawsuit, I think there are arguments… I wasn’t expecting this dynamic pricing. I didn’t realize that until I had been on the phone for quite a while.”

Fans of the Britpop band were shocked when they had to wait for hours for the opportunity to purchase tickets through Ticketmaster and other websites. They were offered popular tickets at higher prices, often several times the original price, and the tickets were only reserved for a limited time.

The British competition authority and the European Commission have now announced that they will investigate the fiasco, despite strong protests from fans.

Noel and Liam Gallagher proved they had buried the hatchet of their 15-year feud when they met up this summer to pose for a photo together on Oasis’ comeback tour.

While the band stated that measures had been taken to prevent the resale of tickets above face value, fans criticized ticket sales websites for pricing their “coveted” tickets online.

Before the price increase, tickets for the Irish dates were available for up to £220.

Higher ticket prices charged by several companies have attracted the attention of regulators in the UK and abroad.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced it would investigate how ticket platforms adjust their prices to meet demand, after an earlier review recommended tougher action against black market trading.

On Tuesday it was reported that the competition authority had launched its review of so-called dynamic pricing following a series of complaints about ticket prices rising in some cases to more than three times the list price.

Oasis had assured on social media that the tickets would be resold “at face value only” through selected sellers after black marketeers attempted to resell pre-sale tickets for thousands of pounds on Friday.

But retailers came under fire on Saturday when customers, who in some cases had to wait up to eight hours to get to the front of the queue, were presented with standing room tickets worth more than £350 – far more than the £150 they were expecting.

Emma Munnelly, who had been queuing for tickets since 8.30am on Saturday morning, told MailOnline this afternoon that she had spent three hours in a queue and waiting room trying to buy tickets for herself, her husband and daughter.

She said her daughter “was desperate to see Oasis and couldn’t believe her luck when they announced their tour.”

“We were expecting to pay £148.50 for standing tickets in Manchester and were absolutely disgusted when Ticket Master increased the price of tickets to £355 each when we had the opportunity to buy them.”

“It was unaffordable and devastating for my daughter.”

“This is a cost that many families cannot afford and we cannot allow this to happen,” she said.

Catherine Kremer said she had finally reached the front after four hours in line and was now “unable to even buy a ticket, no matter which option is chosen” as the coveted standing tickets cost £358.10.

Heidi Tringe told MailOnline she woke up at 3.45am local time in Montpelier, US – and was horrified when she finally got to the front of the line three and a half hours later and spotted the “coveted” prizes.

“The ticket options displayed on the screen were Ticketmaster’s ridiculously inflated dynamic pricing tickets…”

“I have spent the last 30 minutes trying to click various buttons and ‘Find Tickets’ to no avail. Finally I clicked ‘Refresh’ – nothing changed. I clicked ‘Refresh’ a few more times and then I was told I had lost my place in the queue and could get back in line.

“This is so annoying and heartbreaking. If companies have a monopoly on tickets and drive prices way above what the band sets, they damn well better have systems in place to meet fan demand. Something needs to be done, both in Europe and the US.”

A section of Ticketmaster’s purchasing policy explaining “Dynamic Pricing” on the website

Labour councillor Darragh Moriarty said there was “no difference between” the website and the advertisers

The Ticketmaster website recognizes dynamically priced tickets based on demand

The European Commission also promised this week to investigate Ticketmaster’s ability to raise ticket prices based on demand.

The company was warned that it may have broken laws in both the UK and Europe by offering in-demand prices well above the expected price.

A European Commission spokesman told The Guardian it was examining the use of dynamic pricing in light of growing concerns among MEPs.

“The only winners in this situation are the big ticket platforms – at the expense of fans who can no longer afford concerts,” Dutch MEP Lara Wolters told the newspaper.

“This system is not about maximizing joy by filling the stadium with an artist’s biggest fans, but about maximizing profit from music like any other product.”

Darragh Moriarty, councillor for the south-west and inner city and Labour leader on Dublin City Council, expressed concern about prices on Saturday.

“The standing room ticket that is being asked for is simply a normal standing room ticket, only at double the price. There is no difference between Ticketmaster and black marketeers,” he said.

Mr Moriarty apparently shared screenshots from Ticketmaster’s website, which offers standing tickets for “In Demand” for €415.50 each plus fees – the equivalent of around £350.

Journalist Gavan Reilly shared the frustration on Twitter/X.

He wrote on Saturday: “After 105 minutes in line: Only ‘official platinum tickets’ (€490.50) and ‘coveted standing tickets’ (€415.50) are left for Oasis on Sunday.”

“There is no VIP element to either: Ticketmaster is literally just building black market prices into the ‘face value’ offer.”

Others criticized Viagogo for selling tickets at many times the original price.

The chief executive of ticket resale website Viagogo today defended its decision to sell opportunities to see the band at a price higher than that set by promoters.

Cris Miller said: “This is a dream event that millions of people around the world are eagerly awaiting.”

“Our most important tip for fans who use secondary marketplaces is to continue to check prices outside of the first few weeks of sales.

“Demand will peak when tickets go on sale, but that does not reflect the normal price that tickets can and will cost.”

“Just this summer, tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in the UK were sold on our platform for just £80.”

He added: “In the case of Oasis – a highly anticipated event – we saw that the main websites were struggling with demand even before sales went live and there were 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 ticket 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 get their money back.”

Due to high demand, fans had to wait several hours in queues to buy tickets online

Viagogo defended the decision to sell tickets at inflated prices despite high demand

After customers raised concerns, MailOnline contacted Ticketmaster for clarification on dynamic ticket pricing.

Ticketmaster shared a link with pricing information and clarified that Ticketmaster does not set ticket prices.

Ticketmaster’s website states: “Ticketmaster has no influence on the face price of a ticket. This is set by the organizer.”

“What we do have control over is the price you see and we always make sure you see the total price you have to pay right up front – we never hide our fees.”

It also states that in-demand tickets are subject to “dynamic pricing” and prices may change depending on demand.