Is Viagogo legal in the UK?

Viagogo operates legally as a ticket resale platform in the UK, but it is heavily scrutinised for breaches of consumer protection law. Following intense pressure and legal orders, it is required to be transparent about seat numbers, face value, and reseller identities. However, as of late 2025, the UK government is moving to outlaw reselling tickets for profit.

Is viagogo safe in the UK?

viagogo was founded in 2006 by CEO Eric Baker, one of the original founders of StubHub. We operated in Europe for over a decade before moving our headquarters to New York in 2021. Is it safe and reliable to buy tickets from viagogo? Definitely, viagogo is a trusted ticket marketplace.

Is it possible to be scammed on viagogo?

Common types of viagogo scams affect ticket buyers when fraudsters exploit the platform's resale structure. Examples of these scams include: Invalid or duplicate tickets: Fraudsters sell tickets that are either fake or already used, leading buyers to find their tickets don't work at the event.

Is it illegal to buy tickets from viagogo?

It told us that the highest prices on its platform, by default, have not sold. Viagogo said it's fully compliant with the CMA's regulations, including providing professional sellers' information. Any sellers found to be in breach of regulations will face consequences including penalties and platform removal.

How do I know if my viagogo ticket is real?

To know if Viagogo tickets are real, check for official ticket transfer (like Ticketmaster), verify event details match the actual event, arrive early to beat potential duplicates, look for "Instant Download" for faster confirmation, and use payment methods like PayPal for buyer protection, as sellers often resell the same ticket multiple times, leading to entry denial. While Viagogo offers a guarantee, user experiences vary, and getting in first is crucial, says Quora users and Facebook users, so inspect tickets for accuracy and be prepared for potential issues, notes Reddit users. 

Martins Deals: Avoid Viagogo

Is ticket resale illegal in the UK?

Yes, UK ticket reselling is changing; it's becoming illegal to resell tickets for live events (concerts, theatre, sports) for more than their original face value, a new law effective soon, though some touting was already banned (football tickets, bots), and resale platforms must enforce this price cap, limiting individual resales to the number of tickets purchased. 

Is viagogo 100% guaranteed?

Viagogo offers a "guarantee" that promises valid tickets or a refund/replacement if you can't get in, but whether it's truly 100% reliable is highly debated, with many users reporting issues like invalid tickets, difficult refund processes, and high fees, suggesting the guarantee isn't foolproof and the platform's speculative selling tactics can be risky, especially for mobile tickets.

What is the controversy with viagogo?

The investigation found that Viagogo was not providing adequate information to consumers on what seats they were purchasing and that it had not complied with a 2015 commitment to improve information available to consumers. The CMA threatened to take Viagogo to court if the company did not comply with its demands.

How can you tell if an e-ticket is real?

How to Avoid:

1. Check the Source of Your eTicket: If you're purchasing e-tickets, ensure you are buying directly from the official event organizer, box office, or reputable ticket platforms.
2. Verify the Barcode or QR Code: Some official ticket vendors allow you to verify your e-ticket online before the event.

What happens to unsold viagogo tickets?

If the tickets you're reselling on viagogo don't sell, they're still yours. You can try to sell them elsewhere or give them to a friend.

What are the pros and cons of using viagogo?

Viagogo can be extremely useful when tickets are scarce and alternatives are limited, but buyers should proceed with caution, read all details carefully, and expect higher fees.

Why haven t my viagogo tickets arrived?

In most cases, tickets aren't issued until 24 hours before the event. When this kind of delay happens, sellers have until 10 AM on the day of the event to deliver the tickets and fulfill the order. If it's past 10 AM on the day of your event and you don't have the tickets, please contact us.

Does viagogo guarantee ticket validity?

Buyers are guaranteed to receive valid tickets in time for the event. If a problem arises, viagogo will step in to provide comparable replacement tickets or a refund. Sellers are guaranteed to get paid for the tickets they sell and fulfill on time.

How to check if your ticket is genuine?

Check for IRCTC Logo and Watermark: Authentic tickets carry the IRCTC logo, a watermark, and a valid booking ID. Fake ones may have blurry prints, spelling errors, or missing details. Avoid Unknown Agents: Never buy tickets from random agents, social media sellers, or third-party websites that IRCTC does not recognise.

How to buy tickets without getting scammed?

How to safeguard from ticket scams

1. Research the event. ...
2. Purchase through official box offices and promoters only. ...
3. Check seller reviews. ...
4. Triple-check the time and location of your tickets. ...
5. Read ticket guarantees and refund policies. ...
6. Only purchase through verified resellers with a credit card. ...
7. Stick to people you know.

Is there an app to check if tickets are real?

BarcodeChecker is an app to scan and check event tickets with barcodes or QR codes. It allows event organizers to verify barcode tickets at the entrance with one or multiple Android smartphones and log attendance.

What if my viagogo tickets are invalid?

It's possible your event was rescheduled. Check your Orders to confirm you purchased the correct date. If you purchased the wrong tickets, you can easily resell them on viagogo. Check the event website to see if your show has been postponed, rescheduled, or canceled by the venue.

Do viagogo give refunds?

In certain circumstances, you may be required to complete a Dispute Claim Form and provide additional information in order to claim a refund. Forms must be returned to viagogo 10 working days after receiving them, in order to apply for a refund.

Is viagogo a third party seller?

Viagogo operates as a secondary ticket marketplace, meaning that tickets listed on the site are often sold by third-party sellers, rather than directly from the event organizers.

Who owns Viagogo?

Eric H. Baker is an American businessman.

He co-founded StubHub in 2000, and created Viagogo six years later. He is CEO of StubHub Holdings, Inc, which owns the two ticketing marketplaces.

Can resale tickets be fake?

Even if the resold ticket looks legitimate, someone may have replicated it, which means purchasing through a third party cannot be 100% verified. The only foolproof way to know if tickets are authentic is to purchase them directly through the event's ticketing provider or their box office yourself.