Podcast Summary: La economía de Hoy por Hoy | Reino Unido prohíbe el negocio de la reventa de entradas
Podcast: Hoy por Hoy (SER Podcast)
Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló
Key Contributor: Jordi
Overview
In this episode, the team discusses the United Kingdom's groundbreaking new law prohibiting ticket resale at inflated prices for major events, and considers whether similar measures could be introduced in Spain. The conversation focuses on the impact of ticket scalping, the motivations behind the UK legislation, the reaction from artists and resale platforms, and the regulatory future in Spain.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Context of the UK Legislation
- [00:06] The issue arises due to exorbitant resale prices for tickets at high-demand events (concerts, sports, theatre).
- The UK will announce a law prohibiting resale above face value; platforms may only add nominal commission fees.
- Key intention: Protect consumers and maintain ticket price integrity in the primary and secondary markets.
2. Political and Social Pressure
- [00:30] The measure was an electoral promise from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- [01:19] Last week, forty top artists—including Coldplay and Dua Lipa—signed a letter demanding urgent government intervention.
3. The Prevalence and Impact of Scalping
- [01:19] Current situation: Some tickets are resold at up to 10 times their original price.
- [01:30] Cases cited:
- Oasis reunion tour: Tickets initially priced at £145 resold for up to £1000.
- Taylor Swift concerts: Resale prices reached seven times the original ticket value.
- Government estimate: With the new law, average resale prices will drop to ~£50 (just over €30), even for originally expensive tickets.
4. Industry Reactions
- Artists: Strong advocates for strict controls, arguing it protects fans and integrity of events.
- Resale Platforms: Critique the legislation, claiming it may not eliminate scalping but instead drive it underground to the black market.
5. Spain’s Approach
- [03:27] Spain is considering similar legislation:
- A Sustainable Consumption Law is in the works, allowing resale only at the original price plus inflation (IPC) adjustment, but it’s still in pre-legislative stages.
- Uncertain timeline: Not clear when (or if) the Spanish version will be fully implemented.
Notable Quotes & Moments
"...Reino Unido ha decidido tomar cartas en el asunto y hoy mismo va a anunciar una ley que prohíbe revender las entradas a un precio más alto del que han costado."
— B [00:06]
"Si alguien compra una entrada y luego la revende, tendrá que hacerlo al mismo precio que figura en la entrada. Ni una libra más."
— A [00:30]
"En la gira de reaparición de Oasis... entradas por 145 libras, se pagaron hasta mil en la reventa."
— A [01:30]
"Han sido los artistas los que más han presionado... 40 de los principales artistas firmaron la semana pasada una carta dirigida al primer ministro exigiendo rapidez en la aprobación de esta medida."
— A [02:50]
"Lo que dicen [las plataformas de reventa] es que cuando se apruebe esta ley y entre en vigor, lo que ocurrirá no es que se prohíba la reventa, sino que ésta continuará desplazada al mercado negro."
— A [03:15]
"La idea [en España] es hacer algo parecido porque de hecho hay una ley que se está tramitando... pero aún le queda camino por recorrer."
— A [03:34]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:06 – Introduction to the ticket resale controversy and the UK’s planned law
- 00:30 – Explanation of the law’s details and the scope of events affected
- 01:19 – Extent of current resale price inflation and specific concert examples
- 02:50 – Pressure from artists and their direct involvement
- 03:15 – Skepticism and warnings from resale platforms
- 03:34 – Spanish legislative developments inspired by the UK
Tone & Style
The conversation is informative, measured, and anchored in the public interest, maintaining a focus on policy implications while referencing real-life anecdotes to contextualize the issue. Speakers use concrete data and current examples to drive the message home, and the dialogue remains accessible and relatable for a general audience.
This episode offers a thorough look into the ongoing global battle against exploitative ticket resales, underscoring the need for regulatory action and the complex interplay of stakeholders involved.