A Dublin District Court judge has commanded Ticketmaster to completely reimburse a disgruntled Coldplay fan who found himself squatting in “restricted view” seats, unable to catch a glimpse of the band during their jam-packed Croke Park concert last year. James McGetrick, a die-hard fan of the chart-topping group known for hits like Fix You and Yellow, was thrilled when he scored pre-sale tickets to see them during their Music of the Spheres world tour stop in Dublin. However, what he hoped would be a jackpot experience turned into a complete disaster.
James and his wife shelled out €332 for two seats on the lower Hogan Stand, expecting a prime view of Chris Martin’s performance. But on the night of the concert, they found themselves squished near the back, having to crouch down just to catch a glimpse of the stage. The elevated Coldplay stage and overhang from the upper Hogan Stand obstructed their view even further, leading to a frustrating experience of not being able to see the band at all. As the concert progressed, the situation escalated when disgruntled concert-goers behind them began filling the aisles, causing chaos and even resulting in objects being thrown at James and his wife.
Despite the unpleasant experience, Ticketmaster initially offered a measly €190 as compensation, prompting James to escalate the issue through a small claims case against the ticketing company. Throughout the legal process, he emphasized the lack of disclosure regarding the restricted view when purchasing the tickets through the artist pre-sale option. Despite Ticketmaster’s absence in contesting the case, Judge White sided with James, granting him the full reimbursement he sought. The entire ordeal serves as a cautionary tale for concert-goers, highlighting the importance of transparency in ticket sales and the need for adequate viewing arrangements to ensure an enjoyable experience for all attendees.
