Oasis fans have reported that Ticketmaster has canceled their tickets for the band’s reunion tour, alleging that the company accused them of using bots. Following the announcement by Liam and Noel Gallagher of a limited series of stadium shows last summer, thousands of fans flocked to Ticketmaster, eager to witness the band’s first live performance since 2009. However, Ticketmaster is currently facing scrutiny over its dynamic pricing strategy, which caused the price of standard tickets to soar from £148 to £355.
Several fans have received emails from Ticketmaster stating that their ticket purchases were canceled due to the detection of bots. Leighah Conroy, 24, purchased four tickets to see Oasis at Heaton Park in Manchester on August 28 last year, but was informed on Friday that Ticketmaster “identified that bots were used to make this purchase.”
She expressed her frustration, saying, “To say that we’re bots is totally out of order for Ticketmaster because we tried all day to get the tickets. Our heads have been pretty battered these past 24 hours. I felt sick in the stomach. It’s a band you’ll never experience or see again, and it’s been on my bucket list for years. It just feels like my dreams have been completely crushed.” Conroy, from Cumbria, spent around £150 per ticket, along with £800 on a hotel and an additional £40 for travel to the event.
Marta Bonnet, 48, from Spain, also received a similar email on Friday. She mentioned that she spent over £3,000 on tickets, flights, and accommodation for herself, her husband, and their children to see Oasis at Wembley Stadium on August 3. “At first, we thought this email was fake or spam, but it was true,” she said. “We usually use Ticketmaster to buy our tickets… But now, how can I trust this page which is supposed to be the official page? I really can’t believe what has happened.”
A spokesperson for Ticketmaster stated, “Anyone who has been contacted and believes a refund was made in error has been sent a form to fill in for the tour’s promoters to review.”
The Competition and Markets Authority announced in September that it had launched an investigation into Ticketmaster’s sale of Oasis tickets, seeking evidence from fans. In November of last year, Ticketmaster and See Tickets warned that thousands of tickets listed on unauthorized sites would be canceled.
Oasis is set to kick off their reunion tour on July 4 in Cardiff, followed by 16 additional dates across the UK and Ireland, before continuing to Canada, the US, Mexico, and Australia.