Live Nation dominance prompts MPs’ call for CMA inquiry

The Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee has urged the Competition and Markets Authority to open a full investigation into the UK live music market before the end of the year, focusing on the influence of its largest operators.

Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, is central to the MPs’ concerns. The committee’s report put its direct share of primary tickets on sale in 2025 at 58%, increasing to 66% when affiliated businesses were counted.

What happened

The committee renewed its demand on 18 October, as reported by City AM. It wants the watchdog to examine competition across the live music industry rather than leave the concerns raised by its inquiry unresolved.

The renewed call brings forward the deadline MPs had previously sought. In a report published in May, the committee asked the CMA to investigate before the end of 2026; its latest request seeks action before the close of the year.

The committee said its evidence raised concerns about whether competition was working fairly for performers, grassroots venues and audiences. Its request is for a full market investigation, not simply consideration of individual ticket sales.

The background

Ticket sales for the Oasis reunion tour helped bring the issue to the watchdog’s attention. MPs said concerns were raised after tickets were offered for thousands of pounds.

The committee’s market-share figures covered 23.1 million primary tickets on sale in 2025. Including sales controlled by affiliated companies added eight percentage points to the share attributed to Live Nation’s direct operations.

In the committee’s assessment, the company’s position gave cause for concern under each of the CMA’s three factors for judging market dominance. That assessment formed part of the MPs’ case for regulatory scrutiny; it was not presented as a finding from a completed CMA market investigation.

What people are saying

Committee chair Liam Byrne said the inquiry had identified fear within the industry, obstacles for artists and grassroots venues losing out. He argued that commercial success should reflect performers’ talent rather than the strength of dominant businesses.

Byrne said a full investigation was needed urgently to secure fairer treatment for fans and performers. His comments placed the interests of venues and artists alongside ticket buyers in the committee’s case for intervention.

The CMA said it was actively and carefully considering whether to undertake work on the market. A spokesperson referred to the watchdog’s written submission to the committee’s inquiry, without committing to a full investigation or announcing a start date.

What happens next

The committee said it was writing back to the CMA to request details of its intended action and a timetable. It said the watchdog had yet to announce a full market investigation despite the evidence MPs had submitted.

The next step sought by the committee is therefore a clear response on the scope and timing of the CMA’s work. The year-end deadline remains the MPs’ request, rather than a timetable agreed by the regulator.