Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. They sell tickets for concerts, sports events, theater shows, and more. But what would happen if it rained on a day when thousands of people had Ticketmaster tickets for outdoor events? Some key questions arise:
- Would events be canceled or postponed?
- Would tickets be refunded?
- How would venues handle logistics like parking and traffic?
- Could events be moved indoors?
- What are Ticketmaster’s policies regarding rain and inclement weather?
Event Cancellations and Postponements
For major outdoor concerts and festivals, rain can definitely cause cancellations or postponements. Event promoters and performers do not want to deliver a subpar experience to attendees. They also want to keep equipment, crew, and attendees safe in severe weather.
If an all-day festival is threatened by a forecast of heavy rain, organizers may proactively postpone the event to a rain date weeks later. For a single concert, if rain starts falling right before showtime, organizers may delay the start time by a few hours in hopes the weather passes. If heavy rains and thunderstorms persist, they will likely cancel.
Sporting events with open-air stadiums are generally less likely to face full cancellations due to rain, but postponements and rain delays are common. For example, a baseball game could be paused mid-game until the rain lets up. Or, a football game could be postponed by a few hours or a day.
Rescheduling Logistics
Rescheduling a major event brings massive logistical challenges. Venues already booked other acts on different dates. Fans may not be able to make a rescheduled date work. Equipment might already be en route to the next show in another city. Postponing and rescheduling can cost promoters and venues millions in lost revenue and additional expenses.
There are also ripple effects beyond the primary event. Surrounding businesses count on the influx of attendees buying food, drinks, lodging, and more. Metro transit agencies may alter schedules and staffing to handle event crowds. Moving an event date causes headaches for all involved.
Ticket Refunds
In cases of full cancellations due to weather, Ticketmaster typically refunds ticket holders. Their policies, and specific refund processes, vary by event. Sometimes automatic refunds are issued to the original payment method. Other times ticket holders must request refunds within a certain window.
For postponements, existing tickets are usually valid for the new rescheduled date. Some events also offer full refunds if a fan cannot attend the new date. Ticketmaster’s policies are designed on a case-by-case basis with input from event organizers.
Partial Refunds?
What about an event that goes on despite rain, but in compromised form? For example, a multi-day festival that loses one whole date to weather. Or a ballgame that gets delayed by a few innings but eventually played. In these cases, some ticket holders may want partial refunds.
But Ticketmaster rarely issues automatic partial refunds for weather disruptions. Their general policy is that any event completed on a scheduled date is considered fully delivered, regardless of delays or changes caused by weather. Of course account credits or goodwill offers are possible on a discretionary basis.
Moving Events Indoors
For concerts originally scheduled at outdoor venues, is moving indoors an option if rain looms? Sometimes, but often impractical.
Major festivals and concerts planned for tens of thousands of attendees cannot simply move into an indoor arena at the last minute. The venue change would invalidate tickets already sold. New ticketing logistics like seating assignments would be needed for the downsized indoor space. Additional staff may also be required to handle venue differences.
Viability Factors
Whether an outdoor concert event can viably move indoors depends on:
- An appropriately sized indoor venue being available on the same date
- Sufficient time to coordinate new venue logistics
- Artist/performer agreeing to the change
- A way to honor existing ticketholders
While rare, some last-minute venue changes are possible. In 2016, a massive AC/DC concert in Philadelphia was moved indoors to Citizens Bank Park after severe thunderstorms were forecast. But most major concerts are simply postponed, rather than moved indoors, due to weather concerns.
Managing Parking, Traffic, and Crowds
For sold-out events with over 50,000 attendees expected, heavy rain can create immense parking, traffic, and crowd management headaches. Even if the event proceeds as scheduled, torrential downpours may stall traffic en route to the venue, flooding roadways and stranding vehicles.
Venues take various precautions when heavy rain is forecasted:
- Alert ticketholders of potential traffic and parking issues
- Advise arriving early to account for delays
- Temporarily restrict incoming vehicles if parking lots become unmanageable mud pits
- Coordinate with local police to manage traffic flow
- Provide shuttle service from delayed parking zones or public transit
Crowd management inside the gates is also critical if heavy rain suddenly passes through. Quickly directing thousands of fans to covered concourses and erecting temporary shelters is important. Extra staff may be deployed for this purpose.
Ultimately the show must go on safely even in soggy conditions. Advance warning and contingency planning minimizes hassles for fans.
Ticketmaster’s Weather Policies
Ticketmaster addresses weather concerns, cancellations, and refunds differently for each event. There is no universal policy. However, some common threads exist:
- If an event is fully cancelled due to weather before it begins, full refunds are issued.
- If an event is postponed well in advance due to forecasted weather, existing tickets are valid for the rescheduled date.
- If an event goes on as planned but with weather delays or changes, refunds are not usually offered.
- For multi-day festivals, refunds may be issued if an entire date is cancelled due to weather.
Beyond these guidelines, every event has its own fine print regarding rain and weather. Ticketmaster’s policies are visible during the ticket purchasing process and on the back of printed tickets.
Case-by-Case Flexibility
In severe or unusual circumstances, Ticketmaster can bend their typical weather policies when fair. For example, if extreme weather created dangerous conditions at an event, refunds may be issued even if the event technically occurred.
There are also PR factors to consider. Generously refunding tickets after major weather disruptions can earn goodwill from fans. Strictly adhering to draconian policies often backfires publicly.
Table Showing Refund Scenarios
| Weather Situation | Event Status | Refund Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Torrential rain forecast 24 hours before outdoor concert | Event proactively postponed by organizers | Existing tickets valid for new date. Optional refunds possible. |
| Downpour begins 30 minutes before scheduled start time of baseball game | Game delayed 2 hours, then played as normal | No refunds, only delay |
| Severe thunderstorm hits festival midway through second scheduled day | Remainder of second day cancelled | Partial refunds possible for second day only |
| Light drizzle at outdoor venue just before concert begins | Concert goes on as planned | No refunds |
| Hurricane forecasted to hit area during football game | Game preemptively postponed for safety reasons | Tickets valid for new rescheduled date |
Factors Impacting Refunds
As shown above, when and how much tickets are refunded often depends on:
- Exactly when severe weather strikes or is forecasted
- Whether event is cancelled altogether vs. delayed/shortened
- Policies set by event promoter and venue vs. Ticketmaster
- PR factors – customer goodwill must be considered
Generally, the earlier an event can be proactively postponed due to forecasted weather, the better for all involved. Last minute cancellations are lose-lose for attendees, promoters, and Ticketmaster.
Overarching Weather Guidelines
While each event handles weather differently, Ticketmaster does follow general best practices:
- Alert fans to potential weather issues as early as possible
- Share event-specific policies on tickets and website
- Work closely with promoters, venues, and local officials
- Prioritize fan safety in severe weather
- Aim for fair, common sense refund policies
- Consider goodwill offers and accounts credits when possible
In an ideal world, major weather events are foreseen far enough in advance to reschedule smoothly. When severe weather hits suddenly, organizers scramble to make the best of an imperfect, unpredictable situation.
Looking Ahead
As climate change increases weather variability, large outdoor events will face increasing weather disruptions. Policymakers, venues, promoters, and ticket companies like Ticketmaster will need to:
- Build flexible rescheduling, contingency plans, and insurance into events
- Improve weather forecasting and warning systems
- Develop clearer guidelines for delays, cancellations and refunds
- Invest in outdoor venue drainage and fan shelters
- Consider weather risks when scheduling outdoor events
Preparing for the worst while hoping for the best will allow outdoor entertainment to endure whatever the skies may bring.
Conclusion
Severe or unexpected weather can wreak havoc on major concerts, festivals, and sporting events. Ticketmaster’s policies for delays, cancellations, and refunds vary by event. But some overarching best practices exist, centered on fan safety, communication, and fair refunds when possible. Looking ahead, climate change will force outdoor event organizers and ticket sellers to be even more proactive preparing for unpredictable weather conditions in the future.
