Ticket resale cap: what's law now and what isn't

The government has promised to stop touts reselling tickets for more than face value, and the headlines have made it sound as if it already has. It has not. The ticket resale cap is a draft bill, not law, and probably will not be for a while. Until it is, your protection when you buy a Christmas gig, panto or match ticket on a resale site is a mix of existing consumer law, the platform's own guarantee, and your card.

Where the ticket resale ban actually stands

In the King's Speech on 13 May 2026 the government confirmed it will bring forward a draft Ticket Tout Ban Bill. A draft bill goes through scrutiny and consultation before it is formally introduced, so this is some way off becoming law, and some trade reports suggest not before the 2027-28 session. The proposals so far:

• Resale capped at the original price plus unavoidable fees
• A cap on service fees
• A duty on resale platforms to monitor listings and enforce the cap
• Fines of up to 10% of global turnover, enforced by the CMA

None of that applies today. A seller can still list above face value on a resale site, as long as the rules below are followed.

The rules that do apply now

Information before you buy. Under sections 90 to 94 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, both the seller and the platform must tell you, before you are bound by the contract, the seat or standing area, any restriction on who can use the ticket, and the face value. They must also disclose if the seller is connected to the platform or event organiser. A listing that leaves these out is breaking the rule.

Honest pricing. Mandatory fees must be in the headline price. The CMA fined StubHub £889,200 in 2026 for adding delivery and service fees late in checkout, and its investigation into Viagogo's pricing is still open at the time of writing. Our CMA refund register guide covers the StubHub refund.

Football. It is a criminal offence for an unauthorised person to resell tickets for a designated football match.

Fake urgency. "Only 2 left" and countdown timers are caught by the same rules as any retailer. See our Black Friday guide.

If your ticket does not work

1. Contact the platform straight away, in writing, before the event if you can. Most resale sites have a buyer guarantee that promises a replacement or refund if the ticket is invalid, and they often have short claim windows. Check yours and quote it.
2. Keep everything: the listing screenshot (showing seat and face value), the confirmation email, the ticket, and any message from the seller.
3. Event cancelled or moved? The organiser or primary ticket seller usually refunds face value. Ask the platform whether you get the full price you paid, fees included.
4. Use your card. Section 75 applies to a credit card purchase where an item costs over £100, but it can hinge on the price per ticket, so for four £60 tickets it is not guaranteed. A chargeback has no minimum and covers debit cards too. Our Section 75 versus chargeback guide helps you pick.
5. Escalate. Report to Citizens Advice and Trading Standards, which feed what the CMA acts on. Platform pages: Viagogo and StubHub.

Buying safely this winter

• Buy from the official seller first. Many run their own face-value resale or exchange for fans who cannot go.
• Avoid paying by bank transfer, and never buy from a social media message. Card payments leave you something to dispute.
• Check the seat details on the listing against the venue.
• Pay by credit card if you can.

FAQs

Is ticket touting illegal in the UK?

Not generally. Reselling above face value is legal for most events, although football is an exception, and platforms must follow the information rules above.

Can I get a refund if I cannot go?

Only if the event terms or the platform's guarantee allow it. The 14-day cancellation right does not apply to tickets for a specific date.

When will the ticket cap start?

No date has been set. It needs a bill, then Parliament.

Ticket never arrived or it was refused at the door? Start a complaint and we will draft the letter, with the law named and a deadline for them to answer.