Co-op Live cancellations: What to do if you have Olivia Rodrigo and Boogie Wit da Hoodie tickets and how to get a refund
Thousands of A Boogie Wit da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo fans have been left disappointed after both gigs were rescheduled tonight.
The venue’s bosses had promised the gig with A Boogie Wit da Hoodie would go ahead as planned tonight (May 1) but just ten minutes before the opening act was due on stage fans were told to 'leave the arena'.
At 6:40pm, the venue took to X to announce the gig was cancelled due to a 'technical issue' hours before A Boogie Wit da Hoodie was set to perform at 9pm.
READ MORE: Co-op Live's first show was cancelled after 'piece of air conditioning unit' fell from the ceiling
A spokesperson for the venue later confirmed to the M.E.N. that the decision to cancel the concert was made after an item - believed to be part of an air conditioning unit - fell from a gantry inside the arena. Nobody was hurt.
Exactly two hours later at 8.40pm the venue took to X again and broke the news that the Olivia Rodrigo gig scheduled for Friday had also been cancelled due to the 'on-going venue-related technical issue'. The venue added: "Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund at point of purchase."
The £365m Eastlands arena was originally slated to open with a set of Peter Kay gigs starting on April 23. But following a test concert the previous Saturday, which saw capacity slashed amid concerns raised by emergency services, the Bolton comic's shows were pushed back twice.
Co-op Live bosses then assured fans the venue would open in time for American rock band The Black Keys' gig on Saturday, April 27. But following concerns around an emergency services communication system, some remaining internal security systems, and fire safety measures, the show was pushed back to Wednesday, May 25.
Following the reschedulings, Co-op Live said that all tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. They added that refunds will also be available for those who can no longer attend. It is anticipated the same will apply to those with tickets for tonight’s A Boogie Wit da Hoodie gig and the Olivia Rodrigo show.
Co-op Live has yet to announce when the gigs will be held but in a statement on X, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie said ‘we are working on rescheduling in the next few days’.
In a statement, a spokesperon for the company behind the venue, Oak View Group, said: "We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows. We are working with artist management and promoters to limit the impact on the opening season schedule. Where necessary, we will identify alternate dates, and will continually reassess to provide fans with sufficient notice regarding imminent shows. Should shows be cancelled or rescheduled, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund where preferred. "
Will my tickets still be valid?
It is anticipated that tickets for both A Boogie Wit da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo will be transferred to a later date and tickets will remain valid and transferred over to the new dates.
Ticket holders will be contacted by the ticket provider they bought the tickets through, such as Co-op Live's official ticketing partner, Ticketmaster, as well as others.
How do I get a refund for my tickets?
Some of those who have bought tickets for A Boogie Wit da Hoodie Olivia Rodrigo may not be able to attend the new date, so will be able to apply for a refund.
Ticketholders will be contacted by the ticket provider they bought the tickets by email with the option to apply for a full refund. If you bought via Ticketmaster, there will be a link in the email to apply.
How do I get a refund on parking for the Co-op Live arena?
The Co-op Live arena has only one official car park, located next to it off Alan Turing Way. Limited parking spots on the official car park must be pre-booked online ahead of the event.
The arena says these car parking spaces will be released up to four weeks before each event. The price for a car park space via the Co-op Live website is £25 per car.
For those who have bought the £25 car parking, the venue has confirmed that refunds will be available through the ticket provider you purchased the parking through. For Ticketmaster there will be a link on the email, while for SeeTickets there is a refund link on the website.
For those who are happy to attend the alternative date, if they also purchased official parking, the reservation will be moved to their changed date.