Is ticket resale legal in the UK?

Short answer: yes, for most events. Reselling a gig, theatre, comedy or sports-hospitality ticket is legal in the UK, as long as the buyer is given certain information and the event's own terms allow it. The big exception is football: reselling a ticket for a designated football match without the organiser's authorisation is a criminal offence. The government has also announced plans to ban reselling any live-event ticket above its original cost.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed: [publish date].

What the law says today

1. Sellers must give buyers key information (Consumer Rights Act 2015, s90)

When a ticket for a UK recreational, sporting or cultural event is resold through a resale platform, the seller and the platform must make sure the buyer is told, where it applies:

  • the seat or standing area (stand, block, row and seat number, plus any unique ticket number that helps identify it)
  • any restriction on who can use the ticket
  • the original price printed on the ticket

If the seller is the platform operator, linked to it, or the event organiser (or acting for them), the buyer must be told that too. All of this has to be clear and given before the buyer is committed.

2. Football is different (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s166)

Selling, or offering to sell, a ticket for a designated football match without the match organiser's authorisation is an offence. That's why fan resale of football match tickets isn't allowed on SpareSpot. Hospitality packages from approved sellers, and five-a-side or pitch bookings, are a different thing and are allowed.

3. Event terms still apply

Even where resale is legal, an artist or venue can restrict it. For example, they can cancel resold tickets or require ID that matches the ticket. Citizens Advice suggests checking the event or artist website before buying or selling.

What's changing: the planned resale price cap

On 19 November 2025, the government announced plans to make it illegal to resell tickets for concerts, theatre, comedy, sport and other live events for more than their original cost. That cost is defined as the original ticket price plus unavoidable fees. The plans also include:

  • capping service fees charged by resale platforms
  • a legal duty on platforms to monitor and enforce the cap
  • banning individuals from reselling more tickets than they were entitled to buy
  • penalties of up to 10% of global turnover, enforced by the Competition and Markets Authority

At the time of writing these rules are going through Parliament. Check GOV.UK for when they take effect.

How SpareSpot fits

  • Fan listings are capped at what the seller paid, with no mark-ups.
  • Football match tickets can't be listed by fans.
  • Listings show the event, venue, date and seat or area details, and the all-in price including the 12% booking fee.
  • Approved organisers set their own price for their own events. (Once the hub pages ship, organiser listings will be marked "Sold by the event organiser".)

FAQ

Is it illegal to resell tickets in the UK? No, not in general. Reselling is legal for most events if the required information is given. Reselling designated football match tickets without authorisation is illegal.

Can I sell my ticket for more than I paid? It's currently legal for most non-football events, but the government plans to make resale above original cost illegal. On SpareSpot, fans can only list at or below what they paid.

What information must a resale listing show? The seat or standing area, any restrictions on who can use the ticket, and the original price. If the seller is linked to the platform or is the organiser, that must be shown too.

Can I resell my football ticket? Not without the match organiser's authorisation. Use the club's own ticket exchange if it has one.

Who enforces ticket resale law? Trading Standards and the Competition and Markets Authority enforce consumer law, and the CMA is getting stronger fining powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

Sources

  • Consumer Rights Act 2015, s90: legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/section/90
  • Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s166: legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/33/section/166
  • GOV.UK, "Government bans ticket touting to protect fans from rip-off prices" (19 Nov 2025)
  • Citizens Advice, "Buying event tickets safely online"

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