Ticketmaster Issuing Refunds on Select Postponed, Rescheduled Shows Due to Coronavirus
Ticketmaster is now issuing refunds for select postponed or rescheduled shows due to the coronavirus pandemic after facing significant backlash on quietly changing their refund policy to exclude postponed and rescheduled shows in recent weeks.
Per a memo from Live Nation chairman/CEO Michael Rapino to employees obtained by Variety, “For postponed or rescheduled shows, we are issuing refunds for all clients that have approved of us doing so. It is important to remind everyone that Ticketmaster is a platform, and does not hold on to money from client sales. In order to issue refunds, Ticketmaster must first get approval and funds from our clients. These event organizers of concerts, festivals, games or events set the policy on refunds, and Ticketmaster facilitates services accordingly. 60% of the over 50,000 events that have been canceled, postponed and rescheduled globally on the TM Platform have been authorized for refunds – and we have already returned over $400 million to fans.”
In related ticket refund news, Live Nation launched a new website this week to help ticket holders receive full refunds on shows that have been canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The website features full explanations on Live Nation’s ticket refund policy stating, “Ticket holders will automatically receive a refund for canceled events.” If your event is postponed, “Tickets will automatically be valid for the new date, unless you opt for a refund within 30 days of the new show date being announced. Notification emails to ticket holders will begin May 1. If you have tickets to a show that is postponed, you will be able to select your refund option once the new date is announced. If 60 days has passed since a show was postponed and no rescheduled dates have been announced, the 30-day window for refunds will open at that time.”
Live Nation is also offering ticket holders refunds in credit for future ticket purchases, but they’re sweetening the deal by crediting ticket holders with 150% of their purchase, including fees. (Example: A $200 ticket purchase would receive a $300 credit for a future ticket purchase.) On top of that, if ticket holders opt to receive credit, Live Nation will donate an equal amount of tickets from your original purchase to their Hero Nation program that donates tickets to various frontline workers.
