Strict name-based ticketing for BTS Bulacan concert draws fan concerns
Organizers of the BTS “Arirang” world tour stop in Bulacan are moving forward with strict name-based mobile ticketing measures aimed at preventing scalping, but the hardline rules have sparked concern among fans who say the system may be too restrictive.
Set for March 13 and 14 next year at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan, the BTS concert in the Philippines will use non-transferable digital tickets that are strictly tied to the purchaser’s account, according to Live Nation Philippines ahead of the June 9 ticket selling.
“Tickets are tied to the account used at the time of purchase and cannot be transferred to another person. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Live Nation Philippines said.
The company added that the name on the ticket must match a valid ID presented at the venue, with even stricter rules for group entry and gifted tickets.
“As both tickets will bear the account holder's name, the account holder must be present and enter the venue together with their companion. If a ticket has been gifted, the recipient must enter the venue together with the original ticket purchaser. Failure to comply may result in denial of entry without any right to a refund, at the discretion of the promoter,” it said.
While the policy is intended to clamp down on scalpers and unauthorized resale, fans have raised concerns that the system may be overly rigid.
Others also pointed out that the strict “no exceptions” rule could create problems at the gate even for minor discrepancies, raising fears that genuine fans could be denied entry despite having purchased tickets legally.
Note that only a limited set of IDs will be accepted at the venue, including passports, PhilID, driver’s licenses, voter’s ID, PRC ID, SSS, UMID, school IDs for students, and other government-issued identification cards.
Mobile tickets will be delivered digitally via Ticketmaster.ph about a week before the concert.
Presales begin June 9 for ARMY Membership holders, followed by Live Nation presale on June 10, and general on-sale on June 11.