An article by lawyer and sports law expert Dr. Felix Holzhäuser, partner at Lentze Stopper Rechtsanwälte, talks about the ticket black market and the clubs’ options to take action against it.
The full guest article by Dr. Felix Holzhäuser’s information on the ticket black market can be found on five pages in the current ticketing special from Stadionwelt. This includes, among other things, general information on the subject of the black market, the role of ticket exchanges and recommendations for action for the organizers. Click here to go directly to the article.
The ticket black market comes into the focus of the general public not only at major events. Despite ever-advancing ticketing technology, mobile tickets, personalization, blockchain basis and other technical innovations, trading tickets for sporting and cultural events still seems to be a very profitable business. Example: UEFA EURO 2024. The run for tickets was enormous, all games were sold out, and overall demand was significantly higher than supply. It was therefore no surprise that tickets were offered at “lunar prices” on the usual internet platforms, but also in front of the stadiums. The profits from this ticket trading do not go to UEFA or the DFB, but rather line the pockets of a few professional middlemen and their helpers – the unauthorized ticket platforms.
The ticket black market sometimes presents those responsible with major challenges. Image: Stadium World
The market for tickets is divided into a so-called primary and a so-called secondary market. The primary market refers to the sale of tickets on the “official” ticket market, in sports usually directly from the organizers, i.e. from the clubs and associations or their cooperation partners; For concerts, the major ticket service providers who have acquired the ticketing rights from the organizer are regularly responsible. The free resale of tickets to retailers or at free market prices is usually prohibited by contract. Only sales to end customers are permitted. It is therefore a trade restriction and, depending on whether no sales partners or only individual sales partners are supplied with cards, a direct or a type of selective sales system. […] (Stadionwelt, 18.11.2024)
The full guest article by Dr. Felix Holzhäuser’s information on the ticket black market can be found on five pages in the current ticketing special from Stadionwelt. This includes, among other things, general information on the subject of the black market, the role of ticket exchanges and recommendations for action for the organizers. Click here to go directly to the article.
What measures can sports clubs take to combat the ticket black market and protect their fans from exploitative pricing?
As the editor of world-today-news.com, we are pleased to present this interview with two guests on the topic of the ticket black market and its implications for sports clubs. Our first guest is Dr. Felix Holzhäuser, a lawyer and sports law expert who recently wrote an article about this issue for Stadionwelt. He is a partner at Lentze Stopper Rechtsanwälte and has extensive experience in sports law. Our second guest is Mr. Michael Schmidt, a sports club manager who oversees ticket sales and distribution for his organization.
Opening Question: Can you please introduce yourselves and provide a brief background on your expertise in the ticketing industry?
Dr. Holzhäuser: I am Dr. Felix Holzhäuser, a lawyer and sports law expert with over 10 years of experience in the field. I am currently a partner at Lentze Stopper Rechtsanwälte, where I advise sports clubs and associations on a wide range of legal issues, including ticketing.
Mr. Schmidt: I am Michael Schmidt, and I have been working in the sports industry for over 15 years. I am currently responsible for ticket sales and distribution at my club, where we have been dealing with the challenges of the ticket black market for several years now.
Section 1: Understanding the Ticket Black Market
Question: Can you explain what the ticket black market is and how it operates?
Dr. Holzhäuser: The ticket black market is a secondary market where tickets are sold illegally, often at highly inflated prices. These tickets are not acquired through official channels but rather by individuals who buy them from primary market sellers and then resell them on these unauthorized platforms. It can be difficult to track down these middlemen, making it a lucrative business.
Mr. Schmidt: We’ve seen firsthand how these illegal platforms operate. They buy up large quantities of tickets from primary markets and then sell them at exorbitant prices, often using bots to outsmart legitimate ticket buyers. It’s frustrating because not only are we losing revenue, but our fans are being taken advantage of as well.
Section 2: Impact on Sports Clubs
Question: How do ticket resale restrictions affect sports clubs’ ability to regulate the black market?
