by Bad Bunny’s World’s Hottest Tour became the hottest in the world on Friday, after ticket fraud incidents prevented hundreds of fans from attending the musician’s concert in Mexico City.
Ticketmaster issued an apology Friday after an “unprecedented” number of people were sold fake tickets and barred from entering Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca for 2022’s penultimate Bad Bunny concert. The ticket seller promised full refunds to legitimate ticket purchasers, but were denied entry to the venue during the chaotic scene.
The company said anyone who purchased authentic tickets and was unable to access Friday’s show can email contactanos@ticketmaster.com to request a refund. in a statement on social media.
In addition, Ticketmaster said it was collaborating with Mexico’s Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Profeco) to investigate the incident, prevent and penalize onward counterfeit ticket sales.
Mexico City was the final stop on Bad Bunny’s hugely popular World’s Hottest Tour. The Puerto Rican reggaeton sensation put on its last show of the year at Estadio Azteca on Saturday after touring various cities in North, Central and South America. In some cases, tickets for Friday’s performance sold for thousands of pesos, while re-sold tickets reportedly sold for tens of thousands of pesos, according to the Associated Press.
According to Billboard magazine, mass confusion and anger erupted outside Estadio Azteca on Friday over the ticket fraud debacle. Ticketmaster said its processing system was overwhelmed by the unexpected number of fans arriving at the stadium with a mix of real and fake tickets.
According to CNN, cases of concert ticket fraud are on the rise in Mexico, and Profeco received more than 400 complaints about ticket fraud from 2018 to October of this year.
In a recent interview with Billboard, Bad Bunny said he plans to take a breather in 2023 after a whirlwind year of releasing new music, topping the charts, touring, winning awards and garnering Grammy nominations.
“I’m taking a break,” he told the music magazine. “2023 for me is to breathe for my physical health, for my emotional health, to enjoy my achievements. We’re going to celebrate. Let’s go here, let’s go there, let’s go to the boat. I have a few occasional commitments and will go to the studio but no pressure. Remember yourself, c—. You worked your ass.
In November, the hit producer “Me Porto Bonito” received Grammy nominations for her pop solo performance (“Moscow Mule”), música urbana album (“Un Verano Sin Ti”), and album of the year (“Un Verano Sin Ti”). Shortly after, he was named the world’s most streamed artist by both Spotify and Apple Music.
“I feel like I’m in control,” the recording artist told Billboard. “I have been doing this job for five, six years and gaining experience. Yes, six years is nothing. But we live in a digital age where everyone can upload their own music and if you explode you explode and suddenly with one hit you are huge and you have no experience….
“I can say that I gradually gained this experience. I have been able to overcome and improve many things in my life and now I feel that security. I have never felt so centered, both in my life and in my career. I am clear about what I am and who I am in terms of the music industry.”
