Ticombo has lodged an anti-trust complaint with the European Commission against the International Olympic Committee (IOC), accusing it of monopolizing Olympic ticket sales.
The Germany-based ticket resale platform claims that the IOC’s ticketing policies unfairly restrict competition, drive up prices, and limit consumer access. The complaint focuses on the IOC’s exclusive control over ticket resale for major events such as the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
“By blocking independent resale platforms, the IOC not only reduces consumer choice but also distorts market competition,” Ticombo stated.
Under current IOC rules, fans unable to attend Olympic events must resell tickets exclusively through the IOC’s official resale platform, where strict conditions require tickets to be resold at face value plus a platform fee, even in cases of low demand. Ticombo, which allows users to resell tickets below face value, argues that these restrictions inflate prices and prevent consumers from accessing more affordable ticketing options.
Should the legal action succeed, it could significantly alter the way the Olympics handles ticketing globally. The advent of e-ticketing has allowed sports organisations to exert greater control over ticket resales, with major events like the Olympics justifying this control to ensure a minimum ticket price and regulate who can enter.
The European Commission confirmed receiving the complaint and will assess it according to standard procedures. The IOC, however, responded that it had only learned of the complaint through the media and would not comment further.
Ticombo has previously taken legal action for similar reasons. In 2024, it filed a lawsuit against UEFA over ticket resale policies at the UEFA 2024 European Championships. The platform also sued the Belgian state, alleging that legal restrictions on ticket resale were “discriminatory” to firms operating in the sector.
Secondary ticketing platforms have grown into a massive global business, with operators like Viagogo securing partnerships with prominent European sports properties. Viagogo, for instance, has entered agreements with Manchester City, the Alpine F1 team, and the European Handball Federation, becoming a direct ticket and resale partner for these organisations.
