Tickets9 – a new “ethical” ticket resale platform backed by the Music Venue Trust – has been launched in a bid to combat increasingly high ticket prices, with a prohibition on sales above face value.

Ticket pricing for events has been a hot topic over the last few years, with Oasis’s reunion shining a light on the issue after many fans expressed disappointment at having to pay inflated prices due to Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing model.

• READ MORE: The £1 ticket levy scheme has already raised £500,000 for grassroots venues

The UK government initially planned a 30% profit cap on resale prices, but plans have since changed to a total ban on any profit whatsoever.

Before that law is enforced, though, Tickets9 will ensure UK concertgoers aren’t exploited while purchasing resale tickets. The “transparent and ethical” platform will require sellers to upload proof of ticket purchase and tickets can only be listed at face value, plus an additional 12% booking fee and £1 donation to the Music Venue Trust on events above a 5,000-person capacity.

Not only could cutting down on touted tickets save UK music fans millions per year, but Tickets9’s £1 ticket levy will no doubt do wonders for the Music Venue Trust. “Grassroots music venues continue to face enormous financial pressure, and creating reliable, long-term income for the sector is essential,” the Music Venue Trust’s Partnerships Manager Denzil Thomas tells NME.

“Tickets9 have built direct support for our network into their platform from day one, ensuring that every qualifying resale contributes to keeping vital grassroots spaces open,” he continues. “This partnership gives fans an ethical option that makes a real difference to the places where new artists learn their craft.”

Plenty of artists have also supported the Music Venue Trust by implementing their own £1 ticket levy towards the charity. Over £500,000 was raised as of May 2025, with contributions from the likes of Diana Ross, Enter Shikari, Coldplay, and more. And that figure has continued to hike up, with Sam Fender in particular bumping up that figure by raising over £100,000 on his September arena tour.

You can donate to the Music Venue Trust, and head to Tickets9 now to see what tickets it currently has on offer.

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