Hopeful festival goers were left outraged on Monday, April 7, 2025, as they attempted to purchase tickets to one of the biggest Irish events of the year, Electric Picnic. The festival, set to take place in Stradbally from August 29 to August 31, 2025, has become a highlight on the music calendar, but this year, fans faced significant challenges when trying to secure their passes.
As the clock struck noon, eager fans logged onto Ticketmaster, only to encounter a series of malfunctions that prevented many from securing tickets during what festival owners confirmed to be the final opportunity to purchase passes. Frustration boiled over on social media, particularly on X, where users expressed their anger, dubbing the app an "absolute clown show" after being denied entry to the queue, not receiving authentication codes, or experiencing crashes that left them empty-handed.
"Ticketmaster ghosting me so I can't buy an Electric Picnic ticket was not on my 2025 bingo card," one user lamented, while another added, "If Ticketmaster has no haters then I’m dead. Absolute clown show for Electric Picnic tickets again." A third user shared their ordeal, stating, "Ticketmaster saying I have to authenticate my account to join the queue for Electric Picnic tickets and then not sending the authentication code text????? HELLO."
The problems didn’t stop there. Many users reported being forced to reset their passwords, only to find themselves at the back of a long queue. "Ticketmaster making me authenticate my account to join the queue for electric picnic and then did not send the code, then made me reset my password and now I’ve 20,000 people ahead of me in the queue," tweeted Emma Dalton, capturing the essence of the frustration felt by many.
Despite the chaos, the lineup for Electric Picnic 2025 is particularly enticing, featuring an array of popular acts that have fans eagerly awaiting the event. The first five headline acts were announced at the end of March, with Chappell Roan and Hozier set to perform on Friday, August 29. The excitement continues with Sam Fender and Fatboy Slim taking the stage on Saturday, August 30, and Kings of Leon closing out the festival on Sunday, August 31.
As the demand for tickets surged, it was reported that the last tickets were sold out within just 15 minutes of the sale going live. One user took to X to vent their frustrations before the sale, saying, "Can’t believe I have to fight the Electric Picnic ticket war again and it’s not even for me." Another user pointed out the rising ticket prices, noting that they had purchased tickets in the first round for €280, while a friend paid €315 on Monday afternoon.
In the midst of the backlash, a spokesperson for Ticketmaster confirmed that there were no issues with the sale, stating it "went as expected." However, this reassurance did little to quell the anger of those who felt let down by the ticketing service. Fans expressed their disappointment, with one user humorously suggesting, "Ticketmaster you’ve caused me such stress this morning that I think the least you could do is give me an Electric Picnic ticket as compensation."
The Electric Picnic festival, known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse lineup, always attracts tens of thousands of attendees. With the festival's reputation on the line, organizers worked hard to ensure that fans had the chance to experience what they describe as "the best weekend of the year." However, the ticketing debacle has overshadowed the excitement leading up to the event.
While the festival is now sold out, fans still have a glimmer of hope. Remaining tickets will be available through the 'Three Last Chance' program, which will be accessible via the Three+ app when the final lineup is revealed. This initiative aims to provide an additional opportunity for those who missed out on the initial sale.
As the date draws closer, anticipation for Electric Picnic remains high. The festival promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for music lovers, but the ticketing chaos has left many questioning the reliability of the ticketing process. With such a stellar lineup, it’s no wonder that fans are eager to secure their spots at this iconic event.
In summary, the frustration surrounding the Electric Picnic ticket sales reflects a broader issue with ticketing platforms, where technical difficulties can lead to significant disappointment for fans. As the festival approaches, it remains to be seen how organizers will address these concerns and ensure a smooth experience for attendees.
