Garth Brooks promoter warns of phantom tickets as extra Belfast date added for country star
The promoter behind Garth Brooks’ upcoming Belfast gigs has warned fans against being conned with non-existent tickets.
Aiken Promotions made the call as an extra date was added for Brooks.
As well as playing Friday May 21 and Saturday May 22 at Boucher Road Playing Fields in south Belfast, he will now play Sunday May 23 at the venue too.
Only the Sunday date has tickets remaining.
Boss Peter Aiken said fans should seek to buy tickets only through Ticketmaster.
“We are seeing tickets advertised for sale that, in all likelihood, simply don’t exist,” he said.
"It is completely unacceptable that fans are being put in this position.
“People are spending their hard-earned money and making travel arrangements, only to risk arriving at the venue with tickets that are worthless.
“Our advice is very simple: only buy through Ticketmaster.
"Do not take the risk with unofficial resale sites.”
People with invalid tickets will be refused entry to the concerts.
Meanwhile, DUP MLA Philip Brett said that the fact two nights of Brooks’ performance have sold out shows the need to keep Boucher Playing Fields as a venue for large gigs.
The 40,000-capacity open space is the biggest venue in Northern Ireland, but plans have been approved by Belfast City Council for a new football pitch and two new GAA pitches on the site, championed by Sinn Fein.
This risks massively curtailing its use for concerts.
Mr Brett said: “With the first two concerts selling out in less than an hour, the demand speaks for itself.
"Belfast is more than capable of hosting major international events and the economic benefits for our hotels, restaurants, hospitality businesses and wider tourism sector should not be underestimated.
"However, it also reinforces just how important Boucher Road Playing Fields is to Belfast’s economy and our ability to compete for major international events.
"Without facilities like Boucher Road, Belfast would simmply struggle to attract concerts of this scale and protecting its future as a major outdoor concert venue must remain a priority.”