Munich Court Bars Viagogo From Guaranteeing Event Entry For Tickets Sold Via The Platform

MUNICH, Germany (CelebrityAccess) — Viagogo has been enjoined by a court in Munich from advertising tickets as “guaranteeing entry to an event.”

The June 4th ruling came on a case brought by Bavarian consumer protection organization Verbraucherzentrale Bayern, blocks Viagogo from providing an entry guarantee on all tickets resold on its platform.

Verbraucherzentrale Bayern launched the investigation into Viagogo over concerns about deceptive marketing practices, and a fee structure that is often difficult for would-be ticket buyers to fully understand.

Verbraucherzentrale Bayern argued that the guarantee was deceptive as it reinforced the perception that consumers were dealing with a direct ticket seller when the warranty actually came with substantial restrictions.

As well, tickets sold through Viagogo are often exchanged for highly inflated prices. Verbraucherzentrale Bayern conducted a survey of tickets sold through Viagogo for concerts in Munich in April and May 2019, with the results showing that the average ticket price on Viagogo was three times the original face value.

Last year, tickets resold through Viagogo to several high profile concerts, including Ed Sheeran, were canceled, leaving some fans in the lurch ahead of the tour’s opening date and prompting regulatory scrutiny.

Viagogo told IQ-Magazine that they intend to appeal the ruling.