Sheeran in warning for tour ticket touts

Ed Sheeran has insisted that the only people who will lose out in his war against secondary ticketselling sites are touts – not his fans.

Those attending Sheeran’s concerts this week in Manchester have been asked to buy new facevalue tickets upon arrival if theirs were purchased through secondary site Viagogo, as those would be deemed invalid. Viagogo offers users the opportunity to resell tickets for more than their face value.

Sheeran’s tour promoters Kilimanjaro Live, DHP Family and AEG Presents warned fans in July last year that those who had purchased “unauthorised” Viagogo tickets would not be allowed entry to the concerts.

However, a number of fans turned up at the gigs at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday and Friday and were told to pay for tickets up front at the face value of £80, while being advised to contact Viagogo to claim a refund for their resold tickets. Many claimed it was unfair and that they could not afford the additional fee while waiting several days for a refund.

Sheeran, who performed at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Swansea on Saturday, told the BBC’S Newsbeat that his “strong” approach would “be very positive for fans in the long run”.