Outrage as Ticketmaster ‘hidden’ fees triple cost of Bad Bunny concerts in Spain

A SPANISH consumer group has slammed Ticketmaster for applying ‘irregular and abusive’ surcharges on tickets for Bad Bunny’s upcoming concerts in Madrid and Barcelona.

The Organisation of Consumers and Users has accused the ticketing giant of inflating its prices by adding hidden fees that are not refundable.

Bad Bunny – the Puerto Rican superstar – is scheduled to perform 12 shows in Spain this summer as part of his Most Wanted TourThe band will perform two shows in Barcelona’s Estadio Olimpic between May 22-23, and ten at Madrid’s Estadio Metropolitano from late May to June. 

READ MORE Valencia’s new €300m music and sports venue will open in September with secrecy surrounding identity of first act

The final ticket price has left many fans angry and frustrated.

The OCU filed a formal complaint to Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs this week, alleging that Ticketmaster had imposed charges that were not clearly disclosed until the final stages of the purchasing process – effectively tripling the price of some tickets.

According to the OCU, a basic ticket originally advertised at €79.50 could end up costing as much as €269.30 once all surcharges were included. 

These included €3.30 listed as a donation, €36.50 in management fees, and an additional €150 labelled as a ‘VIP charge’.

The consumer group stated that “these added costs are excessive, and we denounce Ticketmaster”

“If the user is doing everything themselves – entering the website, choosing the date, selecting their seat, even printing the ticket – what justifies a €36.50 management fee per ticket?”

Lack of transparency and refundability has raised particular concerns. 

The OCU pointed that these fees, which are usually non-refundable in most cases, leave buyers with very limited options if they want to change or cancel their plans. 

Moreover, the ticket prices are subject to ‘dynamic pricing’, meaning they vary depending on demand – but without any clear explanation of how the final prices are calculated.

“These prices aren’t the same for everybody,” stated the OCU. “It’s a system that adjusts ticket costs ‘according to the market’, yet no one clarifies what factors are considered, to what extent, or how.”

Over 200,000 people stood in line to buy tickets, causing chaos. 

Despite selling 600,000 tickets, many fans were either unable to buy them or were forced into the resale market, where some listings soared past €2,000.

Pablo Bustinduy has now weighed in on the issue, promising a legislative reform. 

He announced that the General Law for the Defence of Consumers and Users would force companies to include fees upfront. The goal is to eliminate the late-minute additions that enraged buyers.

OCU is encouraging consumers to keep any documentation relating to their purchases, and to submit formal complaints in the event that they feel they have been misled. 

The ticketing industry is also being urged to be more regulated, especially in relation to dynamic pricing and hidden charges.

The organization said that as long as an individual has not abandoned a process, it should be honored the price originally offered. “Personalisation should not be used to justify overcharging.”