Refund Ruling After Croke Park Concert Disappointment
Ticketmaster must fully refund a Coldplay fan following a court ruling in Dublin. The case stemmed from a concert held at Croke Park on 29 August 2024. Coldplay performed their Music of the Spheres world tour before a sold-out crowd. James McGetrick bought two tickets through the artist pre-sale. He paid €332 for seats in the lower Hogan Stand.
Chris Martin, lead singer for Coldplay
Fan Describes Poor Visibility at Venue
McGetrick told Dublin District Court that the view from his seats was severely restricted. He and his wife were placed in the fourth row from the back. They sat under the overhang of the upper Hogan Stand. The stage, designed for standing crowds on the pitch, blocked their line of sight. He said the people in front stood throughout, forcing them to crouch to see anything.
Atmosphere Turns Hostile During Concert
As the concert progressed, audience members in worse positions filled the aisles. McGetrick and others complained to a nearby steward. The steward asked those in the aisle to return to their seats. This led to frustration from displaced concertgoers. McGetrick said, “all those people who were sent back to the seats started to blame myself.”
He described the atmosphere as hostile. Popcorn and litter were thrown at him and others nearby. McGetrick described the night as “just terrible.”
Initial Complaint Redirected to Promoter
The next day, McGetrick lodged a complaint with Ticketmaster. The company directed him to concert promoter MCD. McGetrick filed a small claim against MCD. However, the court ruled that Ticketmaster bore responsibility.
Persistence Pays Off in Court
McGetrick restarted the process and filed a claim against Ticketmaster. He told the court that the company tried to “pawn him off.” Ticketmaster offered €190 in compensation. McGetrick declined and continued to seek a full refund.
He insisted the seats were not listed as restricted view. He believed the pre-sale option would secure quality seats. “The whole thing was a disaster,” he told the court.
Ticketmaster Fails to Appear in Court
Judge Peter White heard the case in Dublin District Court. Ticketmaster did not attend the hearing. The court accepted McGetrick’s evidence and purchase records. Judge White granted the full refund of €332.
Croke Park Venue and Ticket Sales
Coldplay performed to thousands at Croke Park as part of their global tour. Tickets sold quickly, with artist pre-sale seats in high demand. Fans expected premium views for premium prices. McGetrick believed he secured better seats through this method.
Legal Outcome May Influence Future Cases
The ruling highlights obligations to disclose seat limitations during sales. It sets a precedent for similar claims. Concertgoers may now challenge event organisers over unclear ticket conditions. Ticketmaster has not yet commented on the ruling.
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Consumer Rights in Spotlight
The case sheds light on fan expectations and event ticket transparency. McGetrick’s persistence brought clarity to a frustrating experience. The refund followed months of correspondence, two claims, and a court appearance.
Ticket buyers may now take greater care to check conditions. Organisers may face scrutiny over seating descriptions. McGetrick’s case underlines the importance of clear communication at the point of sale.
Coldplay’s Tour Continues Globally
Coldplay continues its Music of the Spheres tour around the world. The band remains one of the top live acts globally. Their Dublin show attracted fans from across Ireland. Despite the refund ruling, the concert marked a major moment for Irish music fans.
