How The Weeknd fans can get a refund for cancelled Australian stadium tour

Fans of The Weeknd are fuming after they are now being forced to wait up to six weeks to get refunds for his Australian stadium tour. See how you can get yours.

After the cancellation of all tickets to The Weeknd’s postponed Australian tour, fans who transferred their money to Ticketek in mere minutes to buy them are up in arms about being told they may have to wait up to six weeks for refunds.

About 600,000 tickets to nine stadium concerts were sold last September generating more than $100 million in gross box office takings.

The tour was mysteriously put on ice in early November and since then fans have waited patiently for the shows to be rescheduled.

But some who either needed their ticket money back due to cost of living pressures or had lost hope The Weeknd would rebook the shows, sought a refund.

It is understood the 30 “business days” advice on refunds - which equates to a six-week wait - is an upper limit guide to how long it can take to transfer money back to people’s accounts.

Ticketek issued an alert to ticket hlders on Tuesday advising them of the refunds.

“Patrons should allow approximately 30 business days for the refund to appear in their account,” the email statement said.

“Please do not contact Ticketek regarding your refund, unless you have not received your refund after the time period above.”

But the 30 business day wait seems to be as random as Ticketek’s infamous lounge “queue” which was revealed to be an arbitrary lottery during the Great Taylor Swift Ticket War.

“I got sick and tired of lack of updates or waiting for the rescheduled dates so I cancelled my tickets two weeks ago,” one fan posted.

“I got my refund within three working days. And thank God. I had purchased the tickets for my teenage daughter’s birthday and spent over $1000. Very disappointing.”

But others who had bought multiple $310 general admission tickets said they are still waiting for their money to be returned more than a month after requesting their refund.

“When they said 30 days...I thought a month, not six weeks,” said another frustrated fan.

The Weeknd’s promoter Live Nation confirmed yesterday it has been unable to reschedule the shows.

While the promoter is continuing to “work through the rescheduling process”, all tickets for the 2023 shows were cancelled.

The epic stadium production was postponed two weeks before tour kick off last November. Picture: AFP.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, we must reschedule the Australia/New Zealand tour,” The Weeknd said in a statement last year.

“New dates will be announced next year, and current tickets will be valid for the new shows. Refunds will be available for those unable to attend the new dates. Deeply disappointed but can’t wait to be there with you!”

But fans were left in limbo with no updates in the five months since.

Live Nation is still trying to reschedule the Australian tour. Picture: Supplied

When approached for an update by this masthead, Live Nation said all tickets would be automatically refunded.

“The Weeknd ‘After Hours Til Dawn Tour’ for Australia and New Zealand is still in process of being rescheduled,” a statement issued by the promoter said.

“While we continue to work through the rescheduling process with the artist, tickets for the existing 2023 tour will be cancelled with all ticket holders receiving a full refund accordingly.

“Ticket Holders of the The Weeknd ‘After Hours Til Dawn Tour’ shows who previously held on to their tickets will be able to access a priority purchase window for the new tour in Australia and New Zealand when announced.

“In order to gain access to the priority pre-sale, please make sure you opt in and join the waitlist.

“All current ticket holders will receive an automatic refund. If your details have changed, or you have any refund inquiries please contact your point of purchase.”

Originally published as How The Weeknd fans can get a refund for cancelled Australian stadium tour