StubHub/Viagogo: "a substantial lessening of competition" in the United Kingdom feared by the CMA

The takeover of StubHub, a ticket resale platform for cultural and sporting events, by its competitor Viagogo (ticket resale service) "is likely to result in a substantial lessening of competition in the online secondary ticketing market" according to the CMA, the UK Competition and Markets Authority, after "Phase 2" of its inquiry (launched in June), on 22/10/2020. "They are the only 2 companies of material size in the UK's secondary ticketing market with a combined market share of more than 90%," said the Authority.

"The CMA is concerned that the merger could lead to increases in fees for customers, including fans, who resell or buy secondary tickets to live events. The CMA also found that the merger could result in a lower quality of service and reduced innovation in the sector. The CMA has set out potential options for addressing its provisional concerns, which include requiring Viagogo to sell all or part of StubHub. Views are invited on the provisional findings by 12/11/2020 and 05/11/2020," said the CMA.

The CMA ordered the parent companies of Viagogo and StubHub to halt the…