22 Oct 2015

Secondary ticket sites found to be breaching Consumer Rights Act

Secondary ticket sites found to be breaching Consumer Rights Act news article image

A Which? investigation has discovered secondary ticket websites are not complying with measures implemented as part of The Consumer Rights Act 2015.

The measures were included following a successful campaign by a wide range of sporting organisations, including the Sport and Recreation Alliance, who were concerned that ticket touts were taking advantage of sports fans over tickets to in-demand events.

The Consumer Rights Act requires that key details be given at the time of resale, including the face value of the ticket, the seating area as well as any restrictions that apply.

After looking at the top five resale ticket websites, which included tickets for events like the Rugby World Cup and Six Nations, Which? found key booking information missing in a number of instances.

The secondary ticketing market is worth an estimated £1bn a year. Yet consumers are sometimes not always able to make an informed decision when it comes to buying tickets due to a lack of information from the sellers.

The Consumer Rights Act requires that consumers are provided with the face value of tickets being resold. Without this information, it’s impossible for consumers to tell whether they’re getting a good deal.

Which?'s findings come after last week's announcement that the Government is to launch a review on the online protection measures afforded to those who purchase tickets online from resllers.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: "It’s unacceptable that these ticket resale sites are getting away with not providing fans with key ticket information, leaving them unsure whether their ticket is a good deal, where they’ll be seated or if they’ll even get in."

"Reselling sites cannot continue to push the blame onto individual ticket sellers. Instead they must take responsibility for information displayed on their websites and ensure consumers have enough details to make an informed choice."

Latest News

2 Jun 2026

Sport, volunteering and the connection crisis: four perspectives

A joint contribution from the Sport and Recreation Alliance, /Together, Sport England and the Eden Project.

Read more Arrow Right
22 May 2026

Alliance responds to PE and school sport funding announcement

The government has announced that it will be investing more than £1 billion in PE and school sport over the next three years.

Read more Arrow Right
20 Apr 2026

Alliance responds to DCMS Select Committee’s “Game On” Inquiry report

We welcome the publication of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s “Game On: Community and School Sport” report, which identifies a series of recommendations to government to strengthen grassroots sport and physical activity.

Read more Arrow Right

Become a member

Joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance is pretty simple, but worthwhile!

Register now

Our Partners

Admincontrol logoAir IT logoJMW logoSport:80 logoZellar logo93FT logo