Coldplay Ticket Scalping Fiasco Sparks Backlash in India

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: Chris Martin of Coldplay performs onstage during the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Bryan Steffy/Getty Images/AFP
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: Chris Martin of Coldplay performs onstage during the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bryan Steffy/Getty Images/AFP
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Coldplay Ticket Scalping Fiasco Sparks Backlash in India

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: Chris Martin of Coldplay performs onstage during the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Bryan Steffy/Getty Images/AFP
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: Chris Martin of Coldplay performs onstage during the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bryan Steffy/Getty Images/AFP

British rock band Coldplay's upcoming tour of India has triggered a police investigation and dismayed fans after scalpers bought up cheap tickets to resell online for more than $1,000 apiece.

Thousands of music fans tried and failed to buy tickets for three concerts scheduled in financial hub Mumbai next January, sold by popular Indian online ticket portal BookMyShow, AFP reported.

All three shows sold out in minutes, and those who missed out were infuriated when they saw $70 (6,000-rupee) tickets appear on resale websites at vastly inflated prices.

"The tickets are being sold at 10 times, 20 times, 30 times the price that is being sold on the website itself," student Anna Abraham, 19, told AFP.

"I wouldn't feel good about it myself if I knew that I paid for something 30 times more than what I could have paid for."

Local media reports said BookMyShow's chief operating officer was questioned by police Monday after a complaint brought by Mumbai lawyer Amit Vyas, who claimed the vendor was working with "black marketeers" to make an extra windfall on ticket sales.

"I checked with nearly 100 people who I know are regulars at concerts, none of them had gotten a ticket," Vyas said, according to the Indian Express newspaper.

"This made me suspicious. I then decided to approach the police as I knew that something was amiss."

BookMyShow issued a statement after the public backlash began last week, saying it had "no association" with unauthorized ticket selling.

"Scalping and black marketing of tickets is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India and BookMyShow vehemently opposes this practice," the company said.

Controversies surrounding tickets for major international musical or sporting events are not new.

US megastar Taylor Swift lashed out at Ticketmaster in 2022 following fan anger over sales to concerts staged for her globe-spanning 'The Eras Tour'.

The debacle sparked debate over the Ticketmaster´s privileged position in the industry amid fan complaints of hidden fees, rampant ticket scalping and limited tickets due to presales.



FIFA Signs Netflix to US Broadcast Deal for Women's World Cup in 2027, 2031

The Netflix logo is displayed at Netflix corporate offices on September 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
The Netflix logo is displayed at Netflix corporate offices on September 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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FIFA Signs Netflix to US Broadcast Deal for Women's World Cup in 2027, 2031

The Netflix logo is displayed at Netflix corporate offices on September 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
The Netflix logo is displayed at Netflix corporate offices on September 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

FIFA has signed Netflix to a United States broadcast deal for the Women's World Cup in 2027 and 2031.

The deal announced Friday is the most significant FIFA has signed with a streaming service for a major tournament. The value was not given.

World Cups are typically broadcast on free-to-air public networks to reach the biggest audiences.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino publicly criticized public broadcasters, especially in Europe, for undervaluing offers to broadcast the 2023 tournament that was played in Australia and New Zealand. That tournament was broadcast by Fox in the US, The AP reported.

"This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game," Infantino said Friday in a statement.

FIFA will likely use the Netflix deal to drive talks with European broadcasters that will be more hardball negotiations.

The 32-team, 64-game tournament in 2027 will be played in Brazil from June 24-July 25. The 2031 host has not been decided, though the US is expected to bid.

Spain won the 2023 tournament after the US won the two previous titles.

Netflix dipped into live sports last month with more than 60 million households watching a heavily hyped boxing match between retired heavyweight legend Mike Tyson and social media personality Jake Paul.