Live Nation automatically issuing refunds for shows canceled due to COVID-19

It’s official: Live Nation customers will now automatically receive a refund if the concert or show they bought tickets for is canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event promoter, which announced the “Ticket Relief” initiative last week, posted the update on its website and social media accounts Friday.

The policy goes into effect May 1, when Live Nation begins sending out notification emails updating customers on the the status of thousands of shows affected by stay-at-home orders and bans on large gatherings issued over the last two months.

“If 60 days has passed since a show was postponed and no rescheduled dates have been announced, the 30-day window for refunds will open at that time,” Live Nation added on its “Ticket Relief” page.

In the case of rescheduled shows at venues operated by Live Nation, customers will have 30 days to request a refund or apply it as 150% credit towards future events once the new date is announced. (The offer is not valid for special events, third party rentals or festivals.)

“When you choose this option, Live Nation will also donate tickets to healthcare workers to share the gift of live with those working on the front line through our Hero Nation program,” the company said. “We will donate one ticket for every ticket you originally purchased.

For customers who don’t request a refund within that window, their existing tickets will automatically be valid for the new date. Alternately, customers can opt to donate their tickets for the rescheduled show to front-line workers.

COVID-19 concerns could create a $9 billion loss for the concert industry, The LA Times reported earlier this month.

Cancellations and postponements have been piling up as the pandemic has played out. The latest example: pop megastar Taylor Swift, who announced last week that she was calling off her “Lover Fest” stadium tour and other live appearances for the rest of 2020. Her U.S. dates will be rescheduled for next year. Those unable to attend rescheduled U.S. dates can seek a refund “subject to Ticketmaster terms” beginning May 1.

In addition, Madonna has canceled show dates and Pearl Jam and The Zac Brown Band have postponed entire tours.

In the case of postponed arena and stadium shows, event promoters likely won’t have a clear picture of when they can reschedule concerts until the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball decide how and when to restart their seasons and resume their game schedules for those venues. The NBA got that process rolling Saturday, when it announced that teams can reopen practice facilities in cities where stay-at-home orders have been eased.

Contributing: Gary Dinges, USA TODAY