Fans have criticised the ticket sale process, saying it can be exploited by ticket scalpers.
Ticket scalping is the practice of reselling tickets at a higher price through unofficial channels like social media.
Festival organiser Team Event is promising Electric Avenue 2026 will be its largest yet, with 90,000 attendees over two days and acts like Split Enz, DJ Dom Dolla and Kesha.
It will be held in Hagley Park on February 27 and 28.
Student Jess Hobson, 21, tried and failed to buy two tickets for herself and her boyfriend when the general sale went live.
“I was in the queue thing since 11.30am and by the time I went to pay it was completely sold out,” she said.
Left disappointed by the experience and missing out on acts like Split Enz, Hobson said tickets should have been reserved for a time period once customers started entering their payment details.
“When you then see these people advertising tickets on Facebook and stuff, it’s pretty messed up.”
“Because there’s like so many people who have missed out,” Hobson said.
The Star observed numerous instances of online users claiming to have bought more than the maximum six tickets allowed per customer, then advertising the tickets on social media for more than the original price.
A general admission two-day pass costs $396.38 while single-day passes were $212.87.
A commenter on the Electric Avenue Instagram page said they bought 50 tickets using multiple devices.
“Bidding starts at 999$ NZD,” they stated.
Another commenter claimed to have bought 35 tickets and said they would be sold for $500 each, about $100 above the original price.
Electric Avenue fans expressed their anger online.
“People are already reselling for $800+. What’s going to be done about that,” said Tay Renee.
“Not giving people even 2min time allocation is insane. All ready to check out, just to be told it’s sold out,” said Mai O’Connell.
Consumer New Zealand communications and campaigns manager Sahar Lone advised those interested in buying resale tickets to stick with reputable ticketing sites.
“Only book via the ticketing agent recommended by the event promoter. Be particularly wary of people selling on Facebook Marketplace or other unofficial sites. Buy tickets using a debit or credit card, so you can request a chargeback if something goes wrong.”
There will be an official resale of Electric Avenue tickets when ticket returns have been approved, but Team Event has not revealed when it will occur.
The Electric Avenue website states all ticket holders must carry valid photo ID upon entry which matches the name printed on their ticket.
This is a common method used by events to prevent ticket reselling through unofficial channels.
Team Event director Callam Mitchell was unable to comment before publication.
