Getty ImagesChanges to Ed Sheeran’s ticketing policy will stop people profiting from ticket sales and will help protect fans from getting ripped off.
2018 looks set to be an exciting year for Ed Sheeran fans as the flame haired singer begins his European tour. Music lovers across the UK can attend concerts in the cities of Belfast, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, London and Cardiff, with tickets expected to sell fast.
After a well regarded closing performance at Glastonbury, fans can expect a fun evening of folky ballad belting.
However, unlike with previous tours, the ticket purchaser must also be the person attending the concert. A ticket will no longer be considered eligible if it has been resold, unless this is through Ed’s official face-value resale partner, Twickets.
The following statement has been made on Ed Sheeran’s official website:
Ed and his team have a strict stance against anyone using secondary ticketing websites for profit. On this tour, any tickets that are resold will not be valid – this means no profit to touts and no one getting ripped off.
On all the stadium dates you will be required to bring your tickets, booking confirmation and credit card, plus a valid form of ID or you will not be granted entry to the show.
GiphyTicket resale sites have come under scrutiny in recent months, with sites such as Viagogo and StubHub being accused of breaking consumer laws and inflating ticket prices.
Viagogo was accused of ‘moral repugnance’ in February 2017 after seeking to profit from Sheeran’s Teenage Cancer Trust concert. Money from this gig was supposed to go towards helping affected young people and was certainly not intended to line the pockets of touts.
GettySo, it’s perhaps no wonder that Ed and his team are wary of ticket resales.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Theresa May promised that the the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) would address the issue of unfair touting, working towards ensuring a more consumer friendly market.
This was in response to Viagogo charging a jaw dropping £5,000 for theatregoers to see the critically acclaimed musical Hamilton.
Getty ImagesEnjoying an evening of music with friends is something that should be accessible to everyone. Unfortunately, genuine fans are currently missing out because of astronomical mark-ups.
With a world famous popstar like Ed Sheeran taking action to protect their fans from being taken advantage of, will other acts follow suit?
Tickets will be made available July 8, 2017 onwards.
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.