Ticketmaster changes refund policy on coronavirus-related postponements

With stadiums, arenas and concert halls quiet in Western Pennsylvania and around the world because of the coronavirus pandemic, shows are being postponed. And that is leaving many who have bought tickets waiting to see whether the show goes on, and often without an option to get their money back.

As a result, Ticketmaster has changed its policy on refunds for postponed shows.

They are not offering refunds for postponed shows, even if the ticker holder cannot attend the show on the new date or a new date has not yet been scheduled.

According to screenshots published by The New York Times, Ticketmaster’s refund policy had previously stated that “Refunds are available if your event is postponed, rescheduled, or canceled.”

But now the refund policy simply says, “Refunds are available if your event is canceled.”

Last month, Ticketmaster, which is owned by concert promoter Live Nation Entertainment, posted on its site: “As always, canceled events are automatically refunded. If an event organizer is offering refunds for postponed or rescheduled events, a refund link will appear on your Ticketmaster account.”

But if the event was rescheduled, Ticketmaster is putting the responsibility on the event organizer: “If your event organizer is offering refunds for a rescheduled event, a refund link will be visible under the event in your Ticketmaster account.”

In a statement to USA Today, the company said its policy on postponed events has been consistent, though its wording online has been edited for clarity.

The company followed up with USA Today saying that over 4,000 postponed sports, concert and art events have authorized refunds.

StubHub, one of the nation’s largest ticket resellers, also changed its refund policy, according to reports. The company previously offered refunds before recovering charges from sellers. Now customers will receive a coupon worth 120% of the ticket’s original value.

The change brought a $5 million class action lawsuit against the company.

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, many concerts in Pittsburgh, including The Rolling Stones, Reba McEntire, Ringo Starr, Roger Waters and others have been postponed.