Taylor Swift fans in the UK and Ireland hoping to go her Eras tour are now facing another hurdle as her promoter has said all resale tickets sold so far are invalid.
Fans have scrambled to get tickets to see the US megastar and headed to resale sites including viagogo where tickets are being listed for as much as £10,000.
But those who have splashed out on resale tickets will likely be refused entry to her gigs in Dublin, Liverpool, Edinburgh, London and Cardiff.
Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, an AEG spokesperson said tickets that haven’t been sold through AXS or Ticketmaster will be cancelled.
They added that an official resale through Ticketmaster and AXS will begin on August 1 and ticket prices will be capped to stop touting.
‘The only way to obtain a valid ticket for Taylor Swift’s shows is via the approved ticket agents,’ they said.
‘In the UK, the approved ticket agents are Ticketmaster, AXS or directly through the venue’s website. In Ireland, the approved ticket agent is Ticketmaster.
‘Any tickets found to be purchased via resale on the non-official secondary market will not be valid for entry into the concerts and will be cancelled in accordance with the terms and conditions of sale.’
‘Authorised resale for tickets begins on 1 August 2023.
‘Through official resale facilities, ticket resale prices are capped to help combat the inflation of ticket prices and put a stop to ticket touting.’
These resale facilities enable fans to sell their tickets with confidence and empower fans to purchase resale tickets with the assurance that the ticket they are purchasing is genuine.’
AEG also clarified the confusing ‘lead booker’ policy that was listed on Ticketmaster’s website – saying that fans will be able to change the name on their tickets.
‘In addition to the official resale facilities, fans will also be able to transfer their tickets via their approved ticket agent, so they can share tickets with friends and family who are also attending the concert.
‘Ticket transfer will be made available much closer to the date of the shows and fans will be notified by email when ticket transfer is available. Fans in the UK and Ireland will then be able transfer all of their tickets. ‘
Ticketmaster, AXS and AEG have not clarified how they will know if tickets are resold but other artists, including Ed Sheeran, have pulled this off successfully in the past.
However, Ticketmaster and AXS were keen to clarify that Taylor’s promoter AEG events, decide on any policies with regard to reselling.
It comes after fans were left reeling after Ticketmaster dropped the prices of Eras Tour tickets.
Many early bird fans paid up to £662 for pricey VIP tickets, which come with exclusive merchandise alongside one of the best seats in the house.
But some of these same seats have now appeared without the VIP extras, and have been listed for the face value price of around £184.
Fans hoping to secure tickets revealed they were shocked by the price drop, which appears to be random, with some VIP packages still remaining on the site.
Some fans have revealed they have now bagged tickets for just 27 per cent of the original price, while others have been left fuming and saying they effectively paid nearly £500 for ‘a few posters’.
The most expensive tickets – It’s Been A Long Time Coming Package – include one reserved seated ticket, a special set of four Taylor Swift prints, exclusive Taylor Swift VIP merchandise including a bag, pin, sticker and postcard set and a souvenir concert ticket. Fans will also get a VIP tour laminate and matching lanyard.
This means people who forked out £662 for the package, have paid £478 on the merchandise.
Now there is further confusion that tickets are still available from legitimate reselling sites despite the no-transfer policy.
Others have questioned whether AXS – the other official seller of Eras Tour tickets alongside Ticketmaster – will also become a ‘lead booking event’.
Both viagogo and AXS have said they’re waiting for confirmation on the situation, while Ticketmaster told FEMAIL the promoters, AEG events, decide on the lead booker policy.
‘We are currently reviewing the information distributed by Ticketmaster,’ a spokesman from viagogo told FEMAIL.
‘In any event, the viagogo guarantee is in place and we will ensure those who have purchased with us get in the door or their money back.
‘We strongly oppose these anti-consumer tactics employed by primary ticket outlets that limit choice and flexibility for fans.’
