Bonnaroo fans are calling out Ticketmaster and Live Nation after many who purchased tickets via the official Bonnaroo resale platform, Ticketexchange, received only 75% refunds for canceled wristband orders—while general ticket holders secured full refunds.
A key message shared by "Ana" from Ticketmaster Fan Support clarified the divide: only tickets bought directly on Ticketexchange qualify for a full refund. Tickets originally purchased through Frontgate or other sellers but resold on Ticketexchange do not receive the same treatment, leaving many buyers frustrated and confused.
Fan Reactions
- Calls of "pure greed" and criticism of Ticketmaster’s monopolistic control surfaced, pointing to Live Nation’s ownership of both Ticketmaster and Bonnaroo, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.
- Some suggest contesting the withheld 25% via credit card chargebacks.
- Others explain the 25% cut likely represents Ticketmaster’s commission on resale transactions, meaning buyers are only refunded what the resale price was, minus fees—not the original ticket price.
The Bigger Picture
This controversy underscores longstanding frustrations with Ticketmaster’s resale and refund policies, which generally deny refunds or exchanges unless events are canceled outright. The situation reflects wider industry concerns about transparency, refund fairness, and consumer protection—issues spotlighted by government antitrust actions and recent state laws aimed at curbing exploitative ticket practices.
Related Context
- The U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust suit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster in 2024 for monopolistic behavior.
- Maryland’s recent legislation bans speculative ticket sales and mandates disclosure of all resale fees upfront.
- Senate scrutiny of Ticketmaster followed high-profile incidents like the Taylor Swift ticketing fiasco, intensifying calls for reform within ticketing giants.
Bonnaroo ticket buyers and festival fans remain vigilant, watching closely for any updates that might change refund eligibility or improve resale fairness. Until then, the conversation continues to fuel demands for fairer ticketing treatment in the music festival world.
Source: r/festivals