Concert ticket scalping is increasingly severe. From Hong Kong actor and singer Andy Lau (劉德華) to Japanese-American pop star Hikaru Utada, tickets for superstars’ concerts become hot commodities the moment they go on sale. However, prices are often artificially inflated by scalpers, harming fans and the market.
To address the issue, the Ministry of Culture has joined hands with local governments to implement real-name registration for popular concerts in large venues with a capacity of more than 10,000 people, to prevent scalping and protect the interests of consumers. The policy is not only a direct response to the market chaos, but also demonstrates the power of central and local government cooperation. However, the motivation and results of those measures are worth our consideration.
Ministry statistics show that ticket scalping is particularly prevalent for concerts that fail to implement real-name registration. In 2023, concerts held in large venues such as the Taipei Arena and Kaohsiung National Stadium became focal points, with the number of scalping reports increasing sharply. It is clear from the data that registration systems are vital weapons for combatting scalpers. The ministry’s report indicated that at concerts of major artists, such as Lau and Utada, the significant reduction in scalped tickets was attributed to the system. That has allowed more concert organizers to recognize its effectiveness.
However — despite the measure’s proven effectiveness — there still exist many obstacles to nationwide implementation. Although the ministry and local governments’ cooperation has demonstrated a certain degree of success in encouraging more concert organizers to adopt the system, some localities face different challenges. In particular, the six special municipalities face different market demands and on-site management conditions, so more detailed planning and cooperation is required to determine the best way to implement real-name registration. The Taipei City Government is considering measures such as offering discounted venue rental rates for the Taipei Arena as an incentive for organizers to adopt the system, while the Kaohsiung City Government said it intends to strengthen its coordination and promotion efforts. Those strategies illustrate local governments’ proactiveness in promoting the policy.
For the ministry, implementation would not be done overnight. Although its ultimate goal is to combat ticket scalping and protect consumer interests, the process involves more than just ticket management. Ticket sales are a commercial activity, and ensuring that scalpers cannot take advantage of the system without disrupting normal market operations would require joint efforts from the government and event organizers. From a global perspective, most countries lack strict regulations surrounding real-name registration — they tend to rely on government guidance and self-regulatory mechanisms. Thus, Taiwan is a pioneer, and its approach — if successful — could serve as an example.
However, real-name registration is not without its flaws, and certain details would need to be adjusted. Challenges — such as ensuring user privacy, preventing personal data leaks or handling ticket transfers in extraneous circumstances — might arise. The ministry and local governments should continuously revise and perfect the policies throughout their execution to protect consumer rights and interests, and guarantee a healthy market.
Although real-name registration is only one part of the effort to combat scalping, it has undoubtedly provided a boost to the concert market. As more venues and organizers adopt the system, it sets a new standard for preventing scalping, thereby providing fans with a fairer and more just market environment.
Chen Jie-an is a legal specialist for a technology corporation.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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