{"id":18860,"date":"2026-08-13T11:38:24","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T11:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interspacemusic.com\/blog\/uk-ticket-fraud-losses-hit-150m-amid-live-music-platform-updates\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T11:38:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T11:38:24","slug":"uk-ticket-fraud-losses-hit-150m-amid-live-music-platform-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/interspacemusic.com\/blog\/uk-ticket-fraud-losses-hit-150m-amid-live-music-platform-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"UK Ticket Fraud Losses Hit \u00a3150m Amid Live Music Platform Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"

The UK government<\/a><\/strong> and O2<\/a><\/strong> have launched a national campaign urging ticket buyers to use official websites, as new research puts annual losses from ticket fraud at \u00a3150 million<\/strong> ($202 million). The announcement arrives alongside platform updates from Ticketmaster<\/a><\/strong>, Tixel<\/strong> and Bandsintown<\/strong> affecting event discovery, resale and demand data.<\/p>\n

UK campaign targets \u00a3150 million ticket fraud<\/h2>\n

The campaign, called Stop! Think Fraud<\/strong>, asks the public to always purchase from official ticketing websites. O2’s research found that more than 14%<\/strong> of surveyed gig goers have bought a fake ticket, and 77%<\/strong> of those tickets were purchased through online platforms.<\/p>\n

No age group was immune, but the data showed the highest risk among 18 to 24 year olds, with 31%<\/strong> reporting a fake ticket sale, compared with 4%<\/strong> of people aged 55 and over.<\/p>\n

Ticketmaster connects to Gemini AI<\/h2>\n

Ticketmaster<\/strong><\/a> is now available as a Connected App in Gemini<\/strong>, allowing live event discovery through natural conversations. Fans can browse eligible events, compare seating options and prices, then continue to the Ticketmaster marketplace to complete a purchase.<\/p>\n

Event organizers gain visibility in one of the world’s fastest-growing AI (artificial intelligence)<\/strong> platforms without any additional implementation or setup. Ticketmaster also has integrations with Claude<\/strong>, ChatGPT<\/strong> and Amazon Alexa+<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Tixel names US commercial lead<\/h2>\n

Juan Torres<\/strong>, formerly of Prism<\/strong>, Dice<\/strong> and Aprimo<\/strong>, has joined Tixel<\/strong> as vice president of commercial operations for the US, leading the fan-to-fan ticket resale<\/a> marketplace’s North American commercial operation.<\/p>\n

Tixel partners with venues, promoters, festivals, and primary ticketing platforms “to eliminate scalping and deliver a secure, fair resale experience for fans and organizers alike.” The company has established market positions in Australia and the UK and is now expanding its presence in the United States.<\/p>\n

Dance music ticket demand outpaces other genres<\/h2>\n

New data from Bandsintown<\/strong><\/a> comparing 2025 and 2026 shows dance music ticket demand accelerating faster than nearly every other major genre. Clicks to buy dance music tickets rose 23.7%<\/strong> year over year, ahead of live growth in hip-hop, pop, rock, R&B, Latin and country.<\/p>\n