By The Nexus Gazette.
16th July, 2024.
Chaos erupted at the gates of the Copa America final held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, leaving many ticket holders locked out and frustrated. As fans rushed the entrance gates prior to kickoff, videos captured the chaotic scene where numerous fans without tickets managed to find their way inside.
Dr. Manuel Fonseca, who spent $3,690 for a pair of tickets, described the unsafe situation: “They opened the gates, and all the people rushed in. None of them scanned their tickets.” Concerned for his pregnant wife’s safety, Fonseca decided to leave. However, once outside, they were unable to re-enter the stadium.
Confusion reigned as attendees were directed in circles, searching for alternative entrances. Many fans expressed similar frustration, demanding refunds for their wasted expenses. The chaos not only caused inconvenience but also raised serious safety concerns for those who had paid substantial amounts to attend the event.
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Ticket vendors Ticketmaster and StubHub, along with CONMEBOL (the event organizers), are now under scrutiny. Ticketmaster’s policy states that only event organizers can approve refunds. Hard Rock Stadium issued a statement acknowledging the disappointment of ticket holders unable to enter and promising to address individual concerns in partnership with CONMEBOL.
If refunds are approved, ticketholders will see a request refund button in their online accounts, and the money will be refunded to the original payment card. This process is still pending approval from the involved parties, and fans are eagerly awaiting further updates.
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Hard Rock Stadium and CONMEBOL have yet to provide a detailed explanation for the security failures that led to the chaos. They have, however, expressed their intention to resolve the issue and compensate affected fans appropriately.
This incident at the Copa America final has highlighted significant organizational and security flaws, leaving many fans dissatisfied and demanding accountability. As investigations continue, the priority remains on ensuring that those who were unfairly excluded from the event receive the refunds they deserve.
Resources:
2.https://www.nbcmiami.com/responds/ticketed-fans-kept-out-of-copa-america-final-want-refunds/3362353/
3.https://sirshanksalot.com/copa-america-final-ticketed-fans-outrage-sparks-refund-requests/