UEFA has unveiled its ticket refund portal for Euro 2020, while MCC, which owns Lord’s cricket ground, has told members that they will not receive refunds on their 2020 subscriptions…
UEFA has launched its ticket refund portal for the postponed Euro 2020 tournament, assuring fans that they “don’t need to rush” to make a decision.
The governing body for football in Europe decided last month to delay Euro 2020 – due to be staged this summer in 12 different European countries – over health concerns and to avoid placing further pressure on national public services.
Tickets for the postponed event will remain valid for the rescheduled 2021 tournament, but UEFA has moved to offer refunds for those who already know that they cannot attend next year.
UEFA said that further details regarding ticket validity would be provided once the match schedule for 2021 has been published.
The governing body said: “If you do not currently know whether you can attend in 2021, or if you would prefer to wait to make your decision until the match schedule is published, there will be another opportunity for ticket buyers to request a refund after the match schedule for 2021 is published.
“Therefore, you can wait until the new match schedule is out before deciding whether to request a refund.”
The Danish Football Union (DBU) is currently considering whether it will be able to host its four Euro 2020 matches as planned next year.
Copenhagen, one of 12 host cities selected for the delayed tournament, now set to run from June 11 to July 11, 2021, is also due to host the start of the Tour de France next summer. The DBU has until May 8 to make a decision.
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which owns Lord’s cricket ground, has informed its members that they will not receive refunds on their 2020 subscriptions.
The COVID-19 outbreak has forced all cricket in the UK to be suspended until at least July 1, with the new The Hundred tournament delayed until 2021. Fans who purchased tickets for The Hundred will be issued with a full refund.
However, the 18,000 MCC members have been informed that their annual tickets of more than £500 were the “bedrock” of the club’s finances, adding it was “critical” the club acted.
Chief executive Guy Lavender said in an email to members, BBC Sport reports: “We face the very realistic prospect of substantial loss of income this season.
“The effect on the club’s finances of a loss of revenue of this scale is significant and this has required the committee to take a broader look at the situation.”
Lavender said members who were suffering “major personal financial hardship” could ask the club for their fees back, but only “in situations of considerable need” and in the context of being “fair and considerate” to fellow members.
He added: “Our club is not in crisis, or dire financial jeopardy. Nevertheless, we must respond and react to the impact of the global pandemic in a timely and decisive manner.
“As members we share a responsibility to ensure we keep MCC and Lord’s in good shape for future generations.”
Lord’s was scheduled to host England Test matches with the West Indies and Pakistan, as well as four Middlesex’s County Championship games, five of the county’s T20 Blast group matches, and a day/night one-day game with Australia.
Eventbrite has reported accelerated growth in online experiences amid the COVID-19 shutdown of live events, with a more than 2,000% year-over-year increase in April 2020.
The San Francisco-based ticketing firm said nearly 20,000 online events are now being published daily on its platform and has seen a nine-times increase in searches for online events.
The data also revealed the median price paid for a ticket to an online event is $29 and that consumers are loyal, with 78% purchasing tickets to multiple events hosted by the same creator.
“Eventbrite plays a vital role in bringing people together and during this unprecedented time, we’re focused on helping creators adapt from live to online events while also connecting with people in their communities and around the world,” said Julia Hartz, co-founder and chief executive of Eventbrite.
“While this devastating public health crisis brought on by COVID-19 has ground the live experiences economy to a halt, we’re encouraged by the increase in demand for online experiences as it shows our timeless need for human connection remains as strong as ever.”
Nearly half of the online events that consumers are attending are health and wellness-related like yoga and meditation classes, or business and professional events, such as seminars and workshops.
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