More than 130 representatives from the European live events industry have called on the European Union to take strong action against the unauthorized resale of tickets in an open letter to Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath. They are requesting that the upcoming Digital Fairness Act include specific regulations to curb this practice, which they consider abusive and systemic.
The initiative has the support of artists, promoters, festivals, venues, and cultural institutions from 23 countries, including leading figures in international music and the Spanish state sector. The letter denounces the fact that illegal ticket resale generates approximately €2.5 billion annually in Europe and harms thousands of consumers who purchase counterfeit, duplicate, or invalid tickets at inflated prices.
The industry criticizes the ineffectiveness of the Digital Services Act in removing illegal advertisements and points to several resale platforms for exploiting legal loopholes. In this context, it considers the Digital Fairness Act a key opportunity to strengthen public protection and establish a coordinated European response to an increasingly cross-border problem, especially with the growth of music tourism.