No, ticket scalping in Ireland operates in a legal grey area, primarily regulated under the Consumer Protection Act 2007 and the Ticket Touting (Consumer Rights) Act 2017. While not outright banned, resale prices exceeding face value by more than 10% are prohibited for events organized by certain venues or promoters. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces these rules, with penalties up to €3,000 for non-compliance. Recent 2026 EU Digital Services Act (DSA) amendments may further tighten oversight on secondary ticketing platforms.
Key Regulations for Scalping Tickets in Ireland
- Price Caps: Resale prices for tickets to events (e.g., concerts, sports) cannot exceed face value by more than 10% unless explicitly permitted by the event organizer. Violations trigger CCPC investigations.
- Transparency Mandates: Secondary sellers must disclose the original ticket price, resale price, and seller identity upfront. Failure to comply risks fines under the Consumer Protection Act 2007.
- Event-Specific Bans: Some venues (e.g., 3Arena, Aviva Stadium) prohibit resale entirely via contractual terms, enforceable under the Ticket Touting Act 2017. Promoters may void tickets sold above face value.
The CCPC’s 2024 enforcement priorities include cracking down on AI-driven bots used to bulk-buy tickets for resale, aligning with EU anti-tout measures. Buyers should verify ticket authenticity through official channels, as scalped tickets may be voided at entry.