The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has levied fines totaling nearly €20 million against Società Cooperativa Culture (CoopCulture) and six major tour operators for anticompetitive practices that severely restricted public access to standard-priced tickets for the Colosseum Archaeological Park.
The investigation, launched in July 2023, followed growing concerns that purchasing base-priced tickets for the Colosseum had become virtually impossible through official online channels. CoopCulture, which held the concession for managing official ticket sales from 1997 until 2024, has been fined €7 million for its role in perpetuating limited ticket availability and for failing to address systematic abuses in the distribution process.
According to the Authority, CoopCulture knowingly allowed automated bots and similar hoarding tools to acquire large volumes of tickets. Additionally, the company reserved a significant proportion of tickets for bundled packages tied to its own educational and guided tours—services that carried a substantial markup. This practice left consumers with limited options, effectively forcing them to purchase more expensive packages through third-party resellers.
The six sanctioned tour operators—Tiqets International BV, GetYourGuide Deutschland GmbH, Walks LLC, Italy With Family S.r.l., City Wonders Limited, and Musement S.p.A.—were found to have exacerbated the scarcity by deploying automated tools to bulk-purchase tickets. These operators then resold the tickets as part of premium bundles, including added services such as guided tours, transfers, or fast-track access. This resale activity contributed to the chronic unavailability of base-priced tickets and restricted consumer choice.
The AGCM determined that CoopCulture’s conduct constituted an unfair commercial practice under Article 20, paragraph 2 of the Italian Consumer Code. The behavior of the tour operators was found to violate Articles 24 and 25, and—since the entry into force of new provisions on April 2, 2023—Article 23, paragraph 1, bb-bis) of the same Code.
The scale of the issue is underscored by the Colosseum’s popularity: the monument welcomes an estimated 7 to 8 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited cultural landmarks in the world. The high demand for access, combined with unfair market practices, has amplified the impact on consumers and raised broader concerns about transparency and equitable access in the tourism sector.
This case highlights the growing regulatory focus on digital ticketing practices and consumer rights. The Authority’s ruling sends a strong message to market participants: exploiting automated tools and bundling tactics to manipulate access and pricing in high-demand sectors will face serious consequences.
