The German government has initiated a “Law to mitigate the consequences of the COVID 19 pandemic in the law on event contracts”. According to this law, sports and concert organizers as well as travel companies have the right to provide customers with vouchers who purchased tickets before March 8, 2020 for events that had to be cancelled or
postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic instead of refunding the purchase price. PDC Europe has decided to exercise this right.
In contrast to the situation as it presented itself only 4 weeks ago, we must now assume that the crisis will continue for a longer time. We must make provisions for this case, which would affect sports and concert organizers most severely and, above all, for the longest. If ticket money had to be repaid par for par immediately, this would plunge an entire industry into an even deeper crisis and a large number of companies would be forced into insolvency.
PDC Europe sees this step as a solidarity with other organizers in difficult times. On the other hand, it is also about solidarity with and especially among fans. If companies in the event industry have to file for insolvency, the customers can ultimately no longer be refunded for admission fees.
The reimbursement of the purchase price in the form of vouchers is therefore an essential step towards easing the situation. This process will of course only be maintained over a manageable period of time. Should ticket buyers whose event has been cancelled or who are no longer able to attend an event on an alternative date decide against redeeming their voucher by 2021 at the latest, they can have the purchase price refunded in 2022.
All ticket buyers will be informed in due course by e-mail about further postponements and/or cancellations of events. This information will of course also be made available on the PDC Europe website and social media channels.
We are aware that this step will not meet with approval by everyone. However, in view of the situation, there is no alternative and it is of great importance if big darts events are to be celebrated again in the foreseeable future.
We therefore hope for the understanding and patience of the Darts community, which has always distinguished itself through fair and supportive cooperation over the years.
