UK Watchdog Launches In-Depth Probe Into Viagogo/StubHub Merger

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK has launched Phase 2 in its investigation of the merger between Viagogo and StubHub.

The decision to launch an in-depth investigation is based on the information currently available to the CMA, that “it is or may be the case that this merger constitutes a relevant merger situation that has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom,” according to the CMA’s wording.

The CMA looked into the viagogo/StubHub merger soon after it was announced in November 2019, and ordered both companies to halt any merger proceedings in February.

Now it identified a “relevant merger situation,” in that “enterprises carried on by Pugnacious Endeavors, Inc (viagogo) have ceased to be distinct from enterprises carried on by StubHub, Inc., StubHub (UK) Limited, StubHub Europe S.à.r.l., StubHub India Private Limited, StubHub International Limited, StubHub Taiwan Co., Ltd., StubHub GmbH, and Todoentradas.”

The CMA stated that “the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services, including the supply of online exchange platforms for selling and buying secondary tickets (Secondary Ticketing Exchange Platforms) in the United Kingdom.”

Full Content: Gov UK

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