Michael Jackson’s 'final' London shows sold out in just two hours last morning as more than two million fans sent websites into meltdown.
Initially, 100,000 tickets – approximately half those available – went on sale to the one million fans who had pre-registered.
They were snapped up within 45 minutes by buyers across the world - including Congo, Paraguay, Sri Lanka and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Concert organisers, AEG Live, then announced on Jackson’s website that further shows would be added to the tour, releasing more tickets.
At first, only two new shows were announced, but that soon grew to four, then six and then nine, and finally 13.
By 9am, all pre-sale tickets for the This Is It tour - 190,000 in total - had been sold.
Within minutes of the first tickets going on sale they were appearing on auction website eBay. By 4pm 2,200 buyers had posted their tickets for sale, at inflated prices of up to £10,000 for a front row seat
A source told the London Evening Standard that AEG was prepared to add up to 20 extra dates today and up to 20 more from Friday when they go on sale to the general public.
The huge demand for tickets had caused problems for many fans, many of whom were unable to log onto the star’s website.
Many who had been given special security codes after registering on the website said they did not work.
However, Chris Edmonds, managing director of Ticketmaster, apologised and urged fans to ‘keep trying’.
He said: ‘We have witnessed an unprecedented level of demand for the Michael Jackson concerts at the O2.’
Once pre-sale codes had been emailed out on Thursday, they had begun showing up on auction sites for upwards of £50 as fans scrambled to see the historic shows, which will begin in July.
Internet message boards were overwhelmed with customers complaining. 'My O2 priority password is not valid and neither are 2 friends of mine who have a password,' said one customer.
'To say we’re annoyed is an understatement.'
Jackson, who has returned to the US for rehearsals, is said to be 'ecstatic' at the way the shows are being received. (Daily Mail)
Initially, 100,000 tickets – approximately half those available – went on sale to the one million fans who had pre-registered.
They were snapped up within 45 minutes by buyers across the world - including Congo, Paraguay, Sri Lanka and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Concert organisers, AEG Live, then announced on Jackson’s website that further shows would be added to the tour, releasing more tickets.
At first, only two new shows were announced, but that soon grew to four, then six and then nine, and finally 13.
By 9am, all pre-sale tickets for the This Is It tour - 190,000 in total - had been sold.
Within minutes of the first tickets going on sale they were appearing on auction website eBay. By 4pm 2,200 buyers had posted their tickets for sale, at inflated prices of up to £10,000 for a front row seat
A source told the London Evening Standard that AEG was prepared to add up to 20 extra dates today and up to 20 more from Friday when they go on sale to the general public.
The huge demand for tickets had caused problems for many fans, many of whom were unable to log onto the star’s website.
Many who had been given special security codes after registering on the website said they did not work.
However, Chris Edmonds, managing director of Ticketmaster, apologised and urged fans to ‘keep trying’.
He said: ‘We have witnessed an unprecedented level of demand for the Michael Jackson concerts at the O2.’
Once pre-sale codes had been emailed out on Thursday, they had begun showing up on auction sites for upwards of £50 as fans scrambled to see the historic shows, which will begin in July.
Internet message boards were overwhelmed with customers complaining. 'My O2 priority password is not valid and neither are 2 friends of mine who have a password,' said one customer.
'To say we’re annoyed is an understatement.'
Jackson, who has returned to the US for rehearsals, is said to be 'ecstatic' at the way the shows are being received. (Daily Mail)
