Bundesliga wins legal battle against Viagogo over ticket resale

The Higher Regional Court of Munich has ruled in favor of the Bundesliga in a legal dispute against the ticket resale platform Viagogo. The court dismissed Viagogo's appeal, finding that the company violated competition laws.

The dispute originated from incidents surrounding the 2019 German Super Cup, when Viagogo began offering tickets for the match before official sales had even commenced. The Bundesliga accused the platform of engaging in speculative trading and using deceptive business practices.

The court's decision prohibits Viagogo from offering tickets for DFL or club events before official sales are open. It also bans practices that create a false sense of scarcity to pressure consumers into quick purchases. The ruling mandates greater transparency, requiring platforms to clearly disclose the identity of sellers, the availability of tickets, and the specific services covered by any guarantees.

Bundesliga CEO Marc Lenz described the verdict as a ‘important success for the protection of fans and a fair ticket market,’ noting that it sends a clear signal against questionable offers and inflated prices.