The recent cancellation of Justin Bieber’s Justice World Tour has left many fans disappointed and searching for answers. Bieber was scheduled to perform over 90 shows across North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand from May 2022 through March 2023. However, in early September 2022, Bieber announced that he was postponing the remainder of his tour dates due to ongoing health issues. This has led to speculation about what exactly caused the tour cancellation and whether Ticketmaster, the ticket sales and distribution company for the tour, was involved in the decision.
What health issues is Justin Bieber dealing with?
Bieber revealed earlier this year that he has been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that can cause partial facial paralysis. This diagnosis forced him to cancel several shows on his Justice Tour in June. In his September announcement postponing the remainder of the tour, Bieber said his health issues are ongoing and indicated he needs more time to rest and recuperate. Besides Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, Bieber has also spoken openly in the past about struggling with anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges. The demands of touring likely exacerbated these issues.
When did Bieber cancel the remainder of his Justice Tour?
On September 6, 2022, through an Instagram post, Bieber announced that the remaining dates on his Justice World Tour would be postponed. He had completed over 70 shows but had about 70 left to perform in North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe through March 2023. This means he canceled roughly half of his originally planned 150-date tour.
Did Ticketmaster have any role in the tour cancellation?
There is no evidence that Ticketmaster, which was handling ticket sales, distribution and fan experiences for the Justice Tour, was involved in the decision to postpone the remainder of the shows. The cancellation announcement came directly from Bieber through his social media accounts, and no statement was made by Ticketmaster. As Bieber’s exclusive ticket partner, Ticketmaster may have been consulted for logistical reasons, but the decision appeared to be driven solely by health concerns raised by Bieber and his management team.
Analysis of the Tour Cancellation and Ticket Situation
Justin Bieber’s Justice World Tour was one of the biggest global concert events in the post-COVID era. Here is some context on the scale of the tour and what is happening now with tickets:
How many tickets were sold for Bieber’s tour?
Total ticket sales figures for the Justice Tour have not been released publicly. However, some metrics indicate it was poised to be an incredibly high-grossing tour:
- Bieber was set to play 90+ shows in over 20 countries.
- He was scheduled to perform at many major stadiums and arenas. Some venues on the tour included Principality Stadium in Cardiff, UK (seating capacity of approx. 75,000), Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI (approx. 65,000 attendees expected per show) and Estadio Nacional in Lima, Peru (approx. 35,000).
- His exclusive ticket partner for the tour was Ticketmaster. Based on the large venue capacities, it is reasonable to estimate hundreds of thousands tickets were sold in North America alone.
What is happening to the tickets now that shows are postponed?
For the canceled North American dates, Ticketmaster has stated that refunds are available for fans who want them. Most remaining tour dates have been indefinitely postponed rather than outright canceled. Per Ticketmaster’s policy, tickets for postponed shows will still be honored for the new dates once they are announced. Fans who can no longer attend due to the date changes can pursue refunds based on Ticketmaster’s policies.
How much were Justice Tour ticket prices?
Ticket prices for the tour varied by location but were generally in line with prices for other major pop stars’ concert events. Some sample reported ticket costs include:
- Floor seats: $150 – $600+ per ticket
- Lower bowl/stands seats: $50 – $300+ per ticket
- Upper levels: $20 – $100+ per ticket
VIP packages with add-ons like exclusive merchandise, preferred parking and a pre-show reception were also sold for premium prices, some over $1,000 per ticket.
Are there any concerns about scalped Bieber tickets?
Whenever a major tour like Bieber’s is canceled, it raises concerns about scalped tickets being sold illegally online. Ticketmaster does have protections in place against scalping, including limits on ticket resales and transfers. However, the canceled dates mean thousands of tickets are now unusable for the originally scheduled shows. There is a risk that scalpers will still try to capitalize and sell these unusable tickets to unknowing fans online through unofficial channels. Fans seeking tickets for any rescheduled Bieber dates in 2023 are advised to only go through authorized distributors.
Impact on Fans
While Bieber’s health clearly took priority, the Justice Tour postponement still represents a major disappointment for fans who had been eagerly anticipating these concerts. Here is a look at some of the fan impacts:
Refund frustration
Fans who want refunds are reporting long waits and poor customer service through Ticketmaster. The abrupt tour change created a surge in refund requests thatTicketmaster may not have been adequately staffed to handle. This mirrors wider criticism of Ticketmaster for providing lackluster service. Fans unable to get timely refunds are understandably frustrated.
Travel costs wasted
Many fans faced financial losses on travel costs already incurred for the canceled shows, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more. Bieber fans traveled from across the U.S. and the world to see him based on the original tour dates. Ticket refunds will not cover these ancillary costs.
Disappointment after long waits
The Justice Tour was Bieber’s first comprehensive global tour since 2017. Fans have been waiting patiently for years to finally see him live. These postponements represent crushed plans for many devotees who cleared schedules and made the tour a major event. Missing out after long anticipation only adds to the disappointment.
Confusion over rescheduled dates
Most canceled tour stops have been vaguely postponed without formal new tour dates announced yet. Fans are left hanging and unsure about whether to seek refunds now or wait for new dates they can attend. The lack of clarity from Bieber’s team about rescheduling leaves fans confused.
Impact on Bieber and His Team
While fans bear obvious disappointment, Bieber’s tour cancellation also significantly impacts the star and his business/touring team:
Major revenue loss
The Justice Tour was projected to gross over $200 million had it gone forward as planned. Canceling half the dates represents over $100 million in lost potential touring income for Bieber in 2022-2023, as well as millions in lost fees for his management and touring partners.
Wasted costs on production
Bieber’s touring team had already invested huge sums into production costs for the show, including custom staging, lighting, video screens and more. Much of this spending is now unusable if new dates are ultimately scheduled for smaller, restricted venues compared to the massive stadiums originally booked. These sunk production costs are likely significant.
Staff impacts
From dancers and backup singers to lighting techs and tour management, dozens of staff members are now unexpectedly without planned work for months. Bieber’s team also spent money on rehearsals, choreography, and more that now cannot be fully utilized. Staff likely took other offers off the table to work on this tour.
Brand reputation concerns
While health issues were clearly the cause, some media outlets and fans have still been critical of Bieber over the “last-minute” cancellation. There are mild reputation concerns and calls for Bieber to provide refunds himself if Ticketmaster does not sufficiently handle the situation. But this reaction has been mild overall compared to other tour cancellations.
Lost momentum and hype
Coming off 2021 album Justice, Bieber had huge momentum heading into his tour. The abrupt halt kills some of that hype and energy his team had worked to build up. However, Bieber remains immensely popular, so this impact is likely minimal in the big picture.
Conclusion
The cancellation of Justin Bieber’s Justice Tour for 2022-2023 represents a major shift in the pop music landscape this year. While devastating for fans who were eagerly awaiting his return to the stage, Bieber’s health and wellbeing must take utmost priority. There are many financial and logistical impacts of this decision that will unfold in the coming months. Until Bieber and his team reveal more details, the exact reasoning and outcomes remain unclear. What is certain is that Bieber Nation will continue showing their idol love and support regardless. Once dates are rescheduled, demand from his global fanbase for Bieber’s live shows will certainly still be massive whenever he makes his triumphal return to touring.