This event will look at how the Digital Services Act can set out clear, consistent rules for online marketplaces in order to protect Europe’s live events sector and consumers.

Exploitative ticket resale practices have long plagued the live sector, presenting an increasingly sophisticated threat that has long evaded regulation. Non-authorised platforms and online traders have created a parallel market on which they resell tickets for prices much higher than face-value, often via fraudulent means, to the detriment of independent promoters, venues and millions of fans.

While, according to EY’s Rebuilding Europe study, the performing arts sector lost 90% and the music sector 76% of their annual turnover, the secondary ticketing market was still estimated to be worth €1.66bn. By setting out stricter requirements for online marketplaces, the Digital Services Act has the potential to reduce these vast sums of money leached from Europe’s consumers and cultural businesses each year, and aid the recovery of the industry post-Covid.

• Programme

  Opening remarks

  Hannes Heide MEP

  Speakers

  Gianpaolo Scacco, Policy Officer (Regulatory aspects for culture in digital policies), DG EAC European Commission

  Raphaël Chauvelot-Rattier, Policy officer at the Consumer Law Unit, French ministry of Economy and Finances

  Claire Turnham MBE, Founder, Victim of Viagogo

  Magdalena Menheere, Group coordination ticketing, Bundestheater-Holding

  Olivier Darbois, Director of Paris-based music promoter Corida; President of French live music industry association Prodiss

  Moderator

  Maria Rosa Gibellini, Director General, European Internet Forum