Coldplay Ticket Frenzy: Fans Seek Alternatives Amid Skyrocketing Prices

The thrill surrounding Coldplay’s planned concerts in India and Abu Dhabi has stirred considerable excitement among fans, but has equally led to disappointment for those who missed out on tickets. On 22 September, approximately 13 million individuals flooded BookMyShow, attempting to secure one of the 150,000 tickets available for the band’s Navi Mumbai concerts scheduled for January next year.

Tickets originally priced at ₹6,450 were quickly snapped up, leading to a flourishing resale market where prices reached as high as ₹36,647 on platforms like Viagogo. BookMyShow has issued warnings against the purchase of potentially fake tickets in such secondary markets.

With the disappointment of missing Navi Mumbai tickets, some fans have considered an alternative: attending Coldplay’s concert in Abu Dhabi. Rohit Mishra, a fan organizing a group trip, noted the “peak FOMO” felt by the group’s 44 members planning the journey.

The Abu Dhabi concert, to be held on 11 January at Zayed Sports City Stadium, offers a range of ticket options. Prices start at AED 195 (approximately ₹4,411), with various sections priced up to AED 1,495 (approximately ₹33,950) for the Deluxe Experience package, offering early entry and exclusive perks.

Pre-sales for the Abu Dhabi concert commenced on 25 September, exclusively for those registered on Coldplay’s website before 23 September. The general sale is slated to begin on 27 September.

For fans considering attending the Abu Dhabi event, costs include not just tickets but also travel and accommodation expenses. According to MakeMyTrip, flights from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi and back can be booked for around ₹14,853. Accommodation on Airbnb could cost an additional ₹4,000 per night. Furthermore, a UAE visa for 96 hours costs around ₹2,850, with options for longer tourist visas available.

The Abu Dhabi concert promises additional excitement with the inclusion of Palestinian-Chilean musician Elyanna, known for previous collaborations with Coldplay. She describes her participation in this concert as “a dream.”

Despite the challenges, Coldplay has also introduced the Infinity Tickets program to enhance accessibility. Priced at approximately AED 81.60 (€20), these are limited to two per person and aim to give more fans a chance to attend at a lower cost.