AceShowbiz - The Ed Sheeran and prominent figures from the music industry, including The Cure, Radiohead, and Coldplay, are urging the U.K. government to proceed without delay on legislation aimed at banning ticket touting, a practice where tickets are resold above their face value.

During the U.K.’s 2024 election campaign, the Labour party pledged to outlaw the resale of tickets at inflated prices, alongside other measures aimed at prioritizing fans across music, entertainment, and sporting events. This initiative was widely anticipated to be included in the King’s Speech on May 13, which outlines the government’s legislative agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session under Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.

However, a report by the Financial Times on May 6 indicates that the government may delay introducing the full bill by a year, potentially postponing its enactment until 2027. While a draft bill might still be mentioned in the King’s Speech, the full legislation is unlikely to become law in the near term despite ongoing pressure from artists and industry groups.

The campaign against ticket touting has broad support within the U.K. music scene. Telecommunications company O2, which sponsors 20 music venues including London’s 20,000-capacity O2 Arena, has publicly backed the ban on ticket reselling at prices above face value. The Cure, Ed Sheeran, Radiohead, and Coldplay have all expressed their support through an open letter and social media posts, reinforcing the call for government action.

In November 2025, the U.K. government announced plans to introduce legislation expected to save fans an estimated £112 million ($152 million) annually by dismantling the industrial-scale ticket touting business model. However, major resale platforms like StubHub and Viagogo have warned that banning ticket resales could push fans towards black market sources for tickets.

The issue of ticket touting has been highlighted by several artists frustrated by ticket sales problems in recent years. In 2024, resale platforms listed tickets for the Oasis reunion tour at prices far above face value. Additionally, Olivia Dean publicly criticized Ticketmaster and AXS for what she described as “exploitative” ticketing practices during the North American leg of her The Art Of Loving tour last year.

Last month, the government’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee released a comprehensive report urging that anti-touting legislation be formally enacted and supported the creation of a Music Fans Association backed by both government and industry stakeholders.

Adam Webb, campaign manager at FanFair Alliance, emphasized the importance of following through on promises made to fans: “We were promised fans would be put first. We were promised an end to exploitative ticket touting. Having made such strident commitments in November last year, it would be bewildering if the Government now decided to postpone legislation and relegate the interests of UK consumers. We urge them to stick to their word and deliver these measures without delay.”

Annabella Coldrick, chief executive of the Music Managers Forum, also criticized the delay, stating, “We were told 2026 would be the year of action, not announcements. It's ridiculous that after a manifesto commitment, full consultation and cross party support this Government doesn't appear to be able to actually deliver any change.”

A spokesperson for the government declined to comment directly on speculation about the delay but reiterated their commitment to tackling ticket touting: “We set out decisive plans last year to stamp out touting once and for all, and we are absolutely committed to delivering on them as soon as possible for the benefit of fans and industry.”

The push for anti-touting legislation reflects a growing frustration among artists, fans, and industry leaders who want to ensure fair ticket access and pricing. With millions of pounds at stake and widespread public support, the outcome of this proposed ban will significantly impact the live event experience across the U.K.

Despite the uncertainty around the timeline, the unified stance taken by major artists and venue sponsors underscores the urgency of addressing ticket touting. The music community continues to advocate for legislation that protects fans and curtails exploitative practices that have become increasingly prevalent in the ticket resale market.

As the government prepares for the upcoming parliamentary session, all eyes will be on the King’s Speech and whether it will include concrete steps to enforce the manifesto pledge. Fans and industry insiders alike hope the delay does not derail efforts to bring about meaningful change in the ticketing landscape.

For now, the call from Ed Sheeran and other leading musicians remains clear: the government must act swiftly to end ticket touting and ensure fair access for all fans.