We recently emailed the registered primary contacts for Fringe 2026 shows regarding updated guidance from the Competition & Markets Authority around how to display booking fees. In order to make this information easy to access, you can find the text of the email below.
You may be aware that the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) launched new guidelines at the start of this year regarding pricing transparency for ticketing platforms. Following some initial uncertainty in the industry around the specifics of the guidance, alongside ongoing consultation with various stakeholders (including the CMA), the Fringe Society approach is set out below.
The £1.50 booking fee will now be included in the ticketing price for each show advertised on Fringe Box Office channels, including edfringe.com, the EdFringe app, in the official printed programme and via counter and telephone sales at the Fringe Box Office.
We’re sharing this update to give full transparency about how we’re adapting to comply with these new changes – you don’t need to take any action, and it will not impact your ticketing choices.
In the printed programme
Ticket prices on each show listing will include the booking fee. In addition, to ensure clarity and transparency for audiences, each spread will include the line: 'Ticket prices are inclusive of a £1.50 Fringe Box Office booking fee, capped at £9 per transaction (ie first six tickets). See page xx for full details.'
Editorial copy in the programme will provide greater detail on the booking fee, the fee cap and other ticketing types, such as:
- Family tickets: ‘A further concession for families (F) may be offered for two adults and two children, or one adult and three children under the age of 18. The total price covering the four people will be listed in this case (please note, the price therefore includes the equivalent of four £1.50 booking fees – please see page xx for more details on the booking fee).’
- Free (ticketed) shows will be displayed as follows: eg ‘Aug 2-20 20.15(50m) (Free ticketed) £1.50 (£0.00 plus £1.50 booking fee)’.
- The new guidance will not affect free non-ticketed shows.
On edfringe.com
Currently the ticket price shown on edfringe.com show listings does not include the booking fee. We’ve been working with our web developers to make this change to the user journey; this work will be deployed in time for full programme launch on 04 June, after which the prices displayed will include the booking fee.
On your own marketing collateral
If you are including pricing on flyers, posters, marketing campaigns or different websites, please note that you must be CMA compliant and include the booking fee within any price you advertise.
With this in mind, you may prefer to not include pricing on your flyers and posters, as this may vary if your tickets are on sale through different box offices, or are different for different performances.
Get in touch
Hopefully that all makes sense – if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us via [email protected].
