Viagogo and StubHub merger barred

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ruled against the proposed merger of two secondary ticketing sites because it would reduce competition in the UK.

Viagogo has been instructed to sell StubHub's business outside of North America so that its operations in the UK are run without Viagogo's involvement. 

The CMA said the merger could have resulted in higher fees for UK customers and poorer service.

Conditions of the sale will be set by the CMA, and any purchaser will need to be approved by the Authority.

Stuart McIntosh, chair of the CMA inquiry group, said: “The CMA has focused on ensuring competition in this sector works best for UK consumers."

"After examining all the options, including unwinding the merger in full, the evidence shows that Viagogo selling StubHub’s international business will resolve our competition concerns effectively and proportionately.”

Adam Webb of FanFair Alliance said: “Tackling this hugely controversial US$4bn merger was always going to be tough for regulators, and we welcome the CMA’s hard work during this investigation.”