Live Nation confirms ticket-refund policy for its San Diego concerts, but not Padres’ games at Petco Park

Live Nation has announced its refund policy for concerts that have been canceled or rescheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic at all of its North American venues. The refund policy also applies to some venues that use Ticketmaster — which is owned by Live Nation — to sell tickets to its events.

The list of venues for which refunds are available includes four in the San Diego area: House of Blues in the Gaslamp Quarter; North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista; The Magnolia in El Cajon; and Observatory North Park.

The refund policy apparently does not yet apply to canceled or postponed home games by the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, for which all tickets are sold through Ticketmaster. Major League Baseball has thus far refused to offer refunds for games that have been canceled because of the pandemic. Earlier this week, a class-action lawsuit was filed against MLB, its 30 franchises and its ticket vendors, which include the Live Nation-owned Ticketmaster.

Live Nation is the world’s largest concert and live-events producer. The company announced on April 17 that it would begin offering refunds through its new Ticket Relief program.

But it only disclosed the details Friday afternoon for its more than 30,000 canceled or postponed shows. And Live Nation only did so after receiving heated criticism — including from U.S. Congresswoman Katie Porter, D-Orange County — for being slow to respond to requests for refunds.

That criticism intensified in early April, when Ticketmaster modified its website’s language to indicate that refunds would only be granted for canceled events. The website had previously indicated refunds were available “if your event is postponed, rescheduled or canceled.”

Refunds are available to ticket-holders for canceled events at of the four Live Nation venues in San Diego County listed above, or any other North American Live Nation venue.

For people who “purchased tickets to a show at the Box Office that has been canceled or rescheduled with a new date, you will have the ability receive your refund options in person 30 days from when the box office reopens,” according to a notice on the Ticket Relief website.

All other ticket-holders can decide on refund options that will be relayed to them via email starting May 1.

“Anyone who needs or wants their money back will have the option to get a full refund within 30 days once a show has been canceled or new dates have been finalized,” according to a statement issued Friday by Live Nation.

“It takes an entire ecosystem to bring live events to life, and we appreciate the patience of fans as our teams work through the details of shifting these shows with artists, venues, and communities around the world. Exact offers will vary based on show and venue, and will be shared directly with ticket-holders when they are available, beginning May 1.”

The process for rescheduled events is somewhat different.

“Tickets will automatically be valid for the new date, unless you opt for a refund within 30 days of the new show date being announced,” according to Live Nation’s Ticket Relief website.

“If you have tickets to a show that is postponed, you will be able to select your refund option once the new date is announced. If 60 days has passed since a show was postponed and no rescheduled dates have been announced, the 30-day window for refunds will open at that time.”

There is also a ticket credit option.

“For canceled shows, Live Nation (will) donate 1 ticket to its Hero Nation program for every fan that opts to receive a 150% credit instead of a refund. Hero Nation provides tickets to healthcare workers on the front line in the fight against COVID-19.”

More details are available at: livenationentertainment.com/ticketrelief/