Foo Fighters ticket mix-up: The O2 criticised for links to ticketing site

Approximately 200 fans were turned away from the Foo Fighters' show

The O2 Arena's partnership with ticket resale company StubHub has been criticised after fans were turned away from a Foo Fighters concert this week.

Ahead of the concert, The O2 disabled links between its ticketing system and StubHub's, at the request of the band.

However, tickets continued to be offered on StubHub. Some fans were then denied entry, as they could not supply ID matching the name on their tickets.

MP Sharon Hodgson said the relationship between the two companies was worrying.

"As one of our country's major entertainment venues, and officially the world's busiest venue, it is deeply concerning to see them [The O2] partner with a resale platform that gives preferential treatment to touts," said the Labour MP, who co-chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on ticketing.

"In fact, they should be setting an example to others by creating their own ethical resale mechanisms so fans are not ripped off any longer."

Fans complained of long queues, due to security and ID checks

Chris York, director of SJM concerts and tour promoter for the Foo Fighters, echoed the comments.

"It's a moral decision [for the O2]," he said. "They need to have a look at their business."

"In this instance, I think the relationship with their official reselling partner broke down.

"It's an uncomfortable relationship, in my opinion. The venue is aware of that view, and they are certainly aware of that view from the Foo Fighters."

Responding to Ms Hodgson's comments, StubHub said: "Ticketing, like any industry can certainly improve, but this should not only be directed at safe resale platforms that provide customer guarantees.

"The entire ticketing market needs to focus on being transparent with fans and we call on the government to require event organisers to publish how many tickets are made available for public sale.

"The restrictions imposed this week [requiring ID] make it harder not just for people who want to resell spare tickets but also for people who want to give them away or buy them as a gift for friends and family."

The company has refunded fans who did not gain access to the show.

'Abhorrent'

While reselling tickets is legal, it often goes against the terms and conditions of events. Fans can list tickets on websites such as StubHub and its main rivals Viagogo, GetMeIn and Seatwave at any price they see fit.

The prices are often much higher than face value - although government research shows about 30% of tickets sell for below the original asking price.

Tickets for Adele's 2016 tour were advertised on secondary tickets sites for up to £25,000 each

The O2 signed a partnership with Stubhub in 2012, giving the company billboards inside the venue, and integrating the O2's ticketing website AXS.com with Stubhub's reselling platform.

As a result, tickets for O2 events purchased through StubHub are validated and cancelled - after which a new ticket and barcode in the buyer's name is issued. The measures help to combat fraud in the ticketing market.

However, the O2 can disable this integration for certain events and this happened in advance of the Foo Fighters' concert, after the band requested stringent terms of sale, including the requirement for ID.

SJM Concerts said the conditions were put in place "to prevent tickets being sold at extortionate prices".

Despite this, tickets continued to appear on Stubhub (as well as other secondary sites who are not officially linked to the O2). The secondary sites were within their rights to do this, but at the risk of the O2 cancelling those tickets.

Furthermore, the BBC has seen an email StubHub sent to one customer, reassuring them "it's fine to see someone else's name on the tickets" - a direct contradiction of the terms of sale.

"I personally think that is abhorrent," said Mr York. "They need to have a long, hard look at themselves and listen to the people who've been let down."

The band and The O2 said they were "extremely disappointed" that some fans missed the show

Approximately 200 people were turned away from the Foo Fighters' show - which was seen by 18,500 fans.

Ms Hodgson urged fans to educate themselves on the secondary ticketing market to avoid similar disappointments.

"Over the years, we have seen the ticketing market cleaned up and made fairer for fans, yet the example of the Foo Fighter concert this week shows how far we still have to go," she said.

"That is why it is important we maintain pressure to fix this broken market and put fans first but I would also encourage concert-goers to check out FanFair Alliance's guides to help them buy tickets and not face disappointment on the night."

The O2 Arena was contacted for a comment on this story, but said they had nothing to add to an earlier statement, which said the venue was "frustrated and saddened" by the appearance of tickets on the secondary market.

"We are extremely disappointed if you didn't get to see the show and urge anyone who encountered issues to contact their point of purchase for a full refund," the statement concluded.

• More on Foo Fighters

• BBC Music homepage

• BBC Music News LIVE