You may have heard about the recent mania about Oasis reforming and planning a tour in 2025. Tickets went on sale last night and today, and by all accounts, it has been an ordeal trying to secure some. Especially so for disabled fans.
I’m delighted to say that I was lucky enough to have got some tickets in the pre-sale on Friday night. However, I’m not writing this post to gloat but to highlight how some fans are at a disadvantage when trying to get tickets.
I got lucky in the presale ballot and bought some tickets for the accessible viewing platform at Heaton Park in Manchester.
I was able to buy my tickets completely online on the Ticketmaster website—no phone call necessary.
There were options for the accessible viewing platform tickets (general or standing), with a complimentary free carer ticket. I managed to buy these tickets about 5 minutes after the presale opened at 7 p.m. It was no problem at all.
Contrast this with the experience of other disabled fans. I have read about fans trying to get tickets for the Wembley gig having to stay on hold on the accessible phone line for hours. Only for the call to get disconnected.
I have experienced this myself in the past trying to get tickets for Wembley. it’s just not good enough.
Some managed to get tickets after waiting hours, but many didn’t.
Why do some venues sell accessible tickets online while others insist that you phone them up?
It is undeniably easier for EVERYBODY to sell accessible tickets online. No call handlers needed and no waiting on the phone line for hours. It levels the playing field for everybody.
It’s frustrating that this accessible ticketing process isn’t the standard everywhere. It’s a simple change that could make a world of difference for disabled fans.
The Ticket Factory allows disabled people to buy tickets online for venues in Birmingham, and Ticketmaster allows some fans to buy tickets online for certain venues around the country.
There really is no reason why disabled fans can’t buy accessible tickets for ALL venues. It’s a matter of fairness. But until they do, disabled fans will continue missing out on tickets for their favourite artists because they have to wait for hours on the phone line while tickets are snapped up in minutes.
