Ticketing platform under fire over scalping of Coldplay tickets

Authorities in India have summoned executives of a ticketing platform after furious Coldplay fans failed to secure tickets for the British rock band’s upcoming concerts in Mumbai and complained of unchecked scalping.

Authorities in India have summoned executives of a ticketing platform after furious Coldplay fans failed to secure tickets for the British rock band’s upcoming concerts in Mumbai and complained of unchecked scalping.

It’s the latest in a series of frustrating experiences around the world for fans facing growing competition and rising prices to see their favorite international artists on stage. Many of them are directing their anger at the platforms selling tickets — and calling on officials to take action.

Last month, the American company Ticketmaster came under British government scrutiny after Oasis fans complained about its “dynamic pricing” for the band’s reunion tour. The platform was also criticized in the United States over its disastrous 2022 sale for Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour,” and along with its parent company, Live Nation, is the subject of an antitrust suit brought by the Justice Department earlier this year.

Coldplay fans say they endured long waits and technical glitches on BookMyShow, the official ticketing platform in India for the band’s “Music of the Spheres” world tour, which is coming to India’s financial capital in January. They were left disappointed, they said, when tickets were snapped up by scalpers who are selling them at several times their original price.

Lavanya Maheshwari said she and five of her friends were ready and waiting when tickets went on sale at noon local time on Sept. 22, each refreshing the concert’s website on their own laptops and phones.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ticketing-platform-fire-scalping-coldplay-tickets-rcna173221

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