Foes of Viagogo are once again slamming the ticket resale platform after Elton John fans were barred entry to a performance in Australia due to some fraudulent tickets being sold through the platform, according to multiple outlets . Tour promoter Chugg Entertainment told media that approximately 200 people were turned away from a performance in Adelaide. “We got to the gate and they said you need to go up to the window and get your tickets printed out,” said one fan, who had purchased $388 tickets to Wednesday night’s show. “We went to the window and they said these tickets aren’t valid.” It is unclear whether the tickets had been unscrupulously sold through the marketplace and were actually invalid, or if the promoters opted to have event attendees screened to determine if their tickets were purchased at resale, and then invalidated them – a tactic used by Ed Sheeran’s management at UK tour stops in 2018 . “We can’t really do more as a promoter other than encourage people to check that they’re buying from an authorized seller,” a Chugg spokesperson told reporters, adding that fans with tickets purchased from resellers would be directed to a Ticketmaster box office and provided with letters to take to the point of sale for a refund. “We’re just spreading awareness and telling people if they’re not sure about where they’re buying tickets to head to the promoter’s website and we’ll always list the valid ticketing agencies there.” The spokesperson also indicated that the company is lobbying to have the ban on Google search advertising that had been in effect against Viagogo from early summer through last week , be reinstated. South Australia’s consumer watchdog organization told reporters it was investigating the incident . Viagogo, perhaps wary of the negative publicity immediately in the wake of the announcement it has reached an agreement with eBay to purchase StubHub , defended itself in a statement, indicating that it has every intention to honor its guarantee that any customer who had any issue with their tickets can come to them for either a replacement or a full refund. The Switzerland-based company also said it is facing an issue with “fraudulent activity” related to tickets purchased with stolen credit cards being sold through its platform, and that it is working to resolve that issue as quickly as possible. But it also questioned the intent of event promoters claiming that all tickets sold through non-official channels were invalid. “Event organisers sometimes make claims that they will deny entry to people who have purchased resold tickets. These type of entry restrictions are highly unfair and, in our view, simply punishing Australian fans,” the company statement reads, in part. “Unfortunately, we are used to seeing event organisers attempt to block or ban fans from seeing popular artists by only releasing a limited number of tickets. viagogo was created to give fans more access and choice, something Australian fans have long been denied.” The post Viagogo Foes Cry Foul After Elton John Fiasco appeared first on TicketNews .

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The ticketing platform A View From My Seats launched a fan-driven seating chart this week, allowing concertgoers to see real photos of their view before purchasing seats. Rather than blindly choosing seats off of a seating chart, A View From My Seats wanted to step things up a notch and give fans an easy way to have control of their view at live events. This week, they announced the launch of seating charts that will provide fans with quick information and visuals of their seats at major league sports stadiums, Broadway theaters, major concert venues, and a handful of other ballparks and arenas across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The 450 row-level seating charts combine handcrafted deign, research, and a massive library of fan photos, videos, and reviews. The charts, which have been in development for two years, show unlimited photos and reviews at the row level, along with important section information and details like accessibility options. Frank Panko, the co-founder and CEO of A View From My Seat noted in a press release that the charts are “beautiful and easy to use,” and they will help millions of fans “make informed ticket purchases, which will lead to a better experience at the event.” “I’ve had the privilege of being able to use these for the last few months and I don’t know what I ever did without them,” Panko said. “They’ve helped me pick out awesome seats for two concerts, some theatre and a few sports events.” Here is an example of seats at Amway Arena that include a picture and review:   Anyone who has been to an event can add their own photos to help inform future ticket holders, making the fan-to-fan experience growth each day. The site has grown into the largest, curated library of seat views since the platform’s inception in 2010. “We’ve been collecting these photos from people for the last 9 years,” Panko told TicketNews in a statement. “I love that we can now present all of these photos in a way that brings a lot more context to a user. It will help millions of people pick out great seats, ensuring they have a great experience.” For more information about A View From My Seat or to check out their seating charts, visit their website . The post A View From My Seat Reveals Fan-Driven Seating Charts appeared first on TicketNews .

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The country music venue Billy Bob’s Texas revealed a partnership this week with the ticketing platform AXS. The iconic music venue, known for its “honky-tonk” vibe and filled with mechanical bulls and dozens of bars, sits in Fort Worth, Texas. With the new partnership, Billy Bob’s Texas tickets on sale will be available through AXS’s digital ticketing system. While AXS’ Chief Revenue Officer Rob Sine noted that “there’s not much that can be improved in such a historic venue like Billy Bob’s,” the platform plans to implement an “easy and seamless” ticketing system for fans. Beginning in early 2020, fans will be able to choose their seats from the ticketing company’s FanSight seat map, which includes 3D visualization and a 360-degree experience, allowing concertgoers to see exactly where they’re sitting before purchasing tickets. “We are excited to provide the very best in ticketing technology for our fans,” said Billy Bob’s General Manager Marty Travis. “AXS offers state-of-the-art technology solutions to ensure an easy purchase and mobile entry experience for ticket holders attending Billy Bob’s concerts. Fans have the option to purchase mobile tickets, scan upon entry with their smartphones, manage their accounts directly from their mobile devices and seamlessly transfer or exchange tickets for events they cannot attend.” Pat Green, the Texas country star, will head to the venue on February 1, 2020 for his 37th show at Billy Bob’s, and his show will be the first event sold through AXS. He described the venue in the release as a “treasure to me” and is excited to see where the concert hall goes from here. “You can see it here, right now of where we are going, of how you get tickets int people’s hands without worrying about anything,” Green said. Previously, Billy Bob’s has hosted artists like the classic rockers of Alabama and ZZ Top; it was even named the “Country Music Club of the Year” 12 times by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. Over the next few weeks, rising artists like Travis Tritt, Sam Riggs, and Josh Weathers will take the stage, followed by a performance from  Cole Swindell on New Year’s Eve. See Billy Bob’s Texas full list of upcoming shows at   billybobstexas.com/events. The post Billy Bob’s Texas Announces AXS As Official Ticketing Partner appeared first on TicketNews .

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The Amsterdam-based ticketing marketplace TicketSwap announced the appointment of Chris Carey as the company’s new Head of International Marketing this week. Carey, the founder and CEO of Media Insight Consulting in London, previously worked as the Global Insight Director at EMI Music and Universal Records. He’s also achieved success by founding and running the FastForward Music Conference – which attracts high-profile speakers annually in London, Amsterdam, and Sydney.  In his new position, he will help TicketSwap’s marketing and growth strategy with his expertise in marketing, research, and data analytics. Hans Ober, TicketSwap’s CEO, noted in a press release that the company has been on a “steep growth journey” since its inception six years ago, and he’s “excited to see how the combination of his data-driven methodology and international experience will fuel our marketing strategies in 2020 and beyond.” TicketSwap, which hopes to make secondary ticketing both fair and safe, was created as an alternative to other marketplaces by capping prices at a maximum of 20 percent above face value. Carey said that he’s excited to bring his background and industry insights – which includes working with clients like Spotify, Sony, and the O2 Arena – to TicketSwap and “bridge the gap between talent, events, and the secondary ticketing marketplace.” “TicketSwap’s marketplace offers the best fan experience and is rapidly growing internationally, and I am thrilled to be a part of that success story,” Carey said. For more information about TicketSwap, visit their website . The post TicketSwap Welcomes Chris Carey as Head of International Marketing appeared first on TicketNews .

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Garth Brooks maintained his No. 1 spot on Thursday’s best-selling events, but the 80s rock trifecta of Motley Crue, Def Leppard and Poison took up 17 spots on the top 20 for their tour together next summer. According to Ticket Club sales data, Brooks’ Charlotte stadium show next year took the top-seller spot. Motley Crue’s Charlotte, Seattle, Glendale and Arlington shows rounded out the top 5. 2019 has renewed interest in the rockers with the release of their Netflix biopic The Dirt and now, a reunion nobody thought would happen. The Crue broke a cessation of touring agreement, signed after what was billed as their final tour. Members of the band insisted in the media they would never tour again. Yet the band is coming together in a big way, launching a 2020 stadium tour with Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. George Strait and Shania Twain stood as the only other artists to break through the top 20 for their respective Las Vegas shows last night. Click on any of the links below to find tickets to the best-selling events, or visit ticketclub.com to search for any other upcoming events and find tickets with no service fees for members. Ticket Club Top 20 Best-Selling Events List – December 5, 2019 1. Garth Brooks (May 2, 2020 @ Bank Of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC) 2. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (July 11, 2020 @ Bank Of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC) 3. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (September 2, 2020 @ T-Mobile Park – Seattle, WA) 4. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (July 25, 2020 @ State Farm Stadium – Glendale, AZ) 5. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (July 14, 2020 @ Globe Life Field – Arlington, TX) 6. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (July 9, 2020 @ Camping World Stadium – Orlando, FL) 7. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (July 15, 2020 @ Minute Maid Park – Houston, TX) 8. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (August 16, 2020 @ PNC Park – Pittsburgh, PA) 9. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (August 25, 2020 @ Fenway Park – Boston, MA) 10. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (August 30, 2020 @ Coors Field – Denver, CO) 11. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (August 9, 2020 @ SunTrust Park – Atlanta, GA) 12. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (July 19, 2020 @ Oracle Park – San Francisco, CA) 13. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (August 20, 2020 @ Comerica Park – Detroit, MI) 14. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (September 25, 2020 @ SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, CA) 15. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (August 28, 2020 @ Wrigley Field – Chicago, IL) 16. George Strait (December 7, 2019 @ T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, NV) 17. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (July 23, 2020 @ Petco Park – San Diego, CA) 18. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (August 15, 2020 @ Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, PA) 19. Shania Twain (December 7, 2019 @ Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood – Las Vegas, NV) 20. The Stadium Tour: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (August 11, 2020 @ Hersheypark Stadium – Hershey, PA) The post Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison Tour Dominates Thursday Best-Sellers appeared first on TicketNews .

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Maryland’s Live! Casino & Hotel is gearing up to open a new entertainment venue later this month. The new concert space, dubbed The Hall at Live!, will debut with soft openings on December 26 with a performance from Kristen & The Noise, followed by a gig from Charm City Devils on December 29. On New Year’s Eve, the venue will officially open to the public with “It’s a Sweet New Year” bash. The three-story tall space is 75,000-square-feet and can hold about 1,800 people dining-in-the-round, Cordish Gaming Group President Rob Norton told WTOP, noting that it will also be able to hold 4,800 people at max-capacity for an entertainment event. On the other hand, the venue is scalable, allowing acts with a smaller crowd to occupy the space. “The way we built the venue allows us to be extremely flexible to be able to match the artist or private event,” Norton said. At this time, a handful of artists have been announced to play the venue in 2020, including Gabriel Iglesias, Patti LaBelle, Squeeze, Josh Gorban, and O.A.R. While only comedians and singers have been announced at this time, Norton told WTOP that boxing and MMA Events are slated to take place at The Hall, along with parties for championship games like the NFL Super Bowl or NCAA March Madness while streaming the games on a giant video screen. Like D.C.’s The Anthem, The Hall is curved, allowing all seats to have a “great angle” of the stage, Norton said, explaining that “there isn’t a bad seat in the house.” To see the full list of acts headed to The Hall at Live!, visit the venue’s website . The post Maryland Live! To Launch New Concert Venue This Month appeared first on TicketNews .

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Country star Darius Rucker is slated to perform before the Daytona 500 race in February for the fourth time at the Daytona International Speedway.   The show, set to take place on February 16, will be his first at the “Great American Race,” a 500-mile race which serves as NASCAR’s season opener. Track president Chip Wile noted in a press release that Rucker’s appeal is “massive, encompassing fans of both rock and country music, making him a perfect fit for fans” at Daytona next year.   Rucker first garnered attention as the frontman for Hootie & the Blowfish in the ‘90s, and then began a solo career in 2008. He has since released five records and is best-known for smash-hit tracks like “Wagon Wheel,” “Alright,” “If I Told You,” and “For The First Time.” In 2012, he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. Last last year, he reunited with Hootie & the Blowfish. The group embarked on the “Group Therapy Tour” and dropped Imperfect Circle , their first album in 15 years. On their previous cross-country run, the group celebrated their success with Cracked Rear View – the 1994 record that went on to be one of the best-selling albums of all time. Visit Ticket Club to find tickets to score a spot at the 62nd annual Daytona 500 Race in 2020 The post Darius Rucker To Perform Ahead of Daytona 500 appeared first on TicketNews .

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The Super Bowl Music Fest and Alabama’s Hangout Festival are just some of the tickets going on sale this weekend. The Super Bowl Music Festival will see performances from Guns N’ Roses, Maroon 5, DJ Khaled and DaBaby in Miami during Super Bowl weekend. Hangout Festival headliners include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Post Malone and Billie Eilish, along with sets from Megan Thee Stallion and Kane Brown. The two festivals will release general sale tickets on Monday. Tickets to 11 shows on Maroon 5’s world tour will go on presale as well. Tampa, Raleigh and Denver are among tour stops with tickets available Monday. In sports, Mexico’s national soccer team will visit Charlotte in March to face-off against a to-be-determined opponent. New York Yankees spring training tickets will also go on sale. The Yankees will meet the Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves, among other teams, in Tampa. The NBA Rising Stars game will also go general sale Monday. The annual event showcases young players in an exhibition game between first- and second-year players. Four dates on a reunited Motley Crue’s stadium tour with Def Leppard and Poison will go on presale Monday. Country artists releasing tickets this weekend include Keith Urban to his Mt. Pleasant show and Brad Paisley’s Penticton show. Josh Groban’s September show at Radio City Music Hall will also go on general sale. Several musicals are going on sale this weekend including Mean Girls performances in Tampa and The Lion King in Tempe. Les Miserables’ run in El Paso will also go on sale, along with Anastasia shows in Indianapolis and Charlotte. Additional tickets on sale this weekend include Pitbull’s Tulsa concert, the Rising Vibes Reggae and Ska Music Festival and Andrea Bocelli’s Hollywood performance. Scroll down for our full breakdown of tickets on sale this weekend. *Sale information is subject to change and presented for informational purposes. Presales may require access passwords to purchase. As always, it is best to contact the venue or ticket retailer to confirm any and all details before purchase. Seller Key: TMUSA: ticketmaster.com; LIVN: livenation.com; AXS: axs.com; ETIX: etix.com; TFLY: ticketfly.com; FGATE: frontgatetickets.com; TCOM: tickets.com; TWEB: ticketweb.com. Tickets On Sale — Saturday December 7, Sunday December 8, & Monday December 9 Presale   General On Sale   The post Super Bowl Music Fest, Hangout Festival Headline Weekend Onsales appeared first on TicketNews .

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Concert promoter giant Live Nation Entertainment and the Oak View Group recently revealed that construction would begin on the Moody Center at the University of Texas at Austin. The privately financed sports and entertainment arena, which costs $338 million, will hold 15,000 seats and is set to open in 2022. Students and sports fans can look forward to the arena hosting University of Texas basketball games, as well as university, community, high school, and other community events. Music will also be a factor, as the center will be “a must-play arena,” according to Chairman and CEO of Live Nation Michael Rapino said in a release. Matthew McConaughey, the award-winning actor and professor at the university, signed on as the Minister of Culture at the Moody Center to help with suite designs, color schemes, and a handful of other concepts to help bridge the gap between the university and the city. He noted that he will “convey what a special place the university and the city of Austin are through the design and hospitality of the new Moody Center.” “It should be the first place the biggest bands in the world want to play, but the last place a visiting basketball team wants to play,” McConaughey said. The Moody Center is replacing the 42-year-old Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center. Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke noted that as one of the most important and largest universities in the world, the University of Texas now has a “new vision and a new standard on a private-public partnership that will create a world-class venue for the Longhorns and for Austin.” “This partnership has brought together one of the most recognized universities and brands, the Longhorns, with the world’s leader in content, Live Nation, and the world’s largest developer of new arenas, OVG, with Matthew McConaughey,” Leiweke said. “Those partnerships will create one of the greatest arenas in the world and become the heart and soul for the campus and Austin.” The post Live Nation, Oak View Group Announce Construction of Austin Venue appeared first on TicketNews .

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NCAA March Madness tickets will go on sale Friday, along with several tours from artists like The Doobie Brothers, Chicago, Dua Lipa and Stormzy. The first and second rounds of March Madness in Greensboro, St. Louis, Sacramento and Tampa will go on general sale tomorrow. The Virginia Cavaliers, last year’s champions, have had a successful season and currently hold a 7-1 record, but at this point in the season, the championship is anyone’s. The Doobie Brothers’ extensive 50th-anniversary tour will also release tickets tomorrow. The band reunited with lead singer Michael McDonald for the first time in 25 years for the celebratory tour. Chicago’s tour with Rick Springfield will also release tickets on general sale, as well as Dua Lipa’s shows in the UK and Ireland and Stormzy’s shows in Europe and North America. A few Las Vegas residencies will also release tickets tomorrow. Earth, Wind and Fire’s show at the Pearl Concert Theater will go on general sale. Reba McEntire’s show with country duo Brooks and Dunn will also release tickets to shows throughout 2020, as well as comedian George Wallace’s 6-month residency at the Westgate. Tickets to five shows on McEntire’s solo tour will go on sale as well. Alabama’s Hangout Festival will release presale tickets tomorrow. The festival’s stacked lineup includes Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Post Malone. Additional concerts going on sale Friday include Diana Ross’ shows in London and Manchester, six Brad Paisley concerts and shows on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s farewell tour. UFC Fight Night in Raleigh will release general sale tickets Friday. The main event will pit Curtis Blaydes against Junior Dos Santos. The Hockey East championship will also release tickets tomorrow. Tickets to six shows on Chris Stapleton’s All-American Roadshow tour will go on sale as well, along with Five Finger Death Punch’s spring tour and Brittany Howard’s solo shows. Check out our full breakdown of tickets on sale Friday below. *Sale information is subject to change and presented for informational purposes. Presales may require access passwords to purchase. As always, it is best to contact the venue or ticket retailer to confirm any and all details before purchase. Seller Key: TMUSA: ticketmaster.com; LIVN: livenation.com; AXS: axs.com; ETIX: etix.com; TFLY: ticketfly.com; FGATE: frontgatetickets.com; TCOM: tickets.com; TWEB: ticketweb.com. Tickets On Sale — Friday December 6, 2019 Presale General On Sale The post March Madness, Doobie Brothers Among Tickets On Sale Friday appeared first on TicketNews .