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One of the biggest live events of 2025, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour, is on general sale today (February 14). Demand is so high that Queen Bey has added extra dates in the UK, US and France.
She has now announced six shows at London’s 60,000-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – one more than she played at the same venue on 2023’s Renaissance Tour. On that occasion, NME praised the “sheer force of her live vocal” and the joyful energy she brought to the stage. Hot off her overdue Album Of The Year win at the Grammys, the Cowboy Carter Tour is set to be even more jubilant.
With expected sky-high demand, scammers will undoubtedly attempt to exploit eager fans searching for tickets. A recent report by Lloyd’s Bank showed scam victims buying Oasis tickets lost an average of £346 each, with more than 90 per cent of scams starting on social media. Research from Get Safe Online shows that fans need to be more aware of the risks of buying tickets on social media, fan forums and auction sites.
“Beyoncé’s tour could result in another ‘Oasis storm’ — huge fan demand, limited tickets, a single primary seller, and a stressful buying process. This makes it easier for scammers to take advantage of fans, which often drives them to social media platforms. I’d like to say ticket criminals are dull and stupid, but they’re not – actually, they’re getting more sophisticated,” says Tony Neate, chief executive of Get Safe Online.
Here are five ways to protect yourself in the Cowboy Carter scramble today.
Watch out for the hard and soft sell
Neate says today’s savvy scammers will apply pressure in different ways. “They’re very nuanced and tell you what they think you want to hear,” he says. “The hard sell is when they try to push you into making an instant decision. Look out for sellers who say things like: ‘These tickets are going to be gone in two minutes.’ Rest assured that you have options – yes, the tickets might go quickly in the on sale but there are regulated platforms to turn to.’”
If you sense a seller becoming a bit manipulative, consider it a red flag. “Some scammers will spin a story like, ‘Well, we were going to see Beyoncé, but now my mother’s really unwell and we don’t want to waste the tickets.’ According to Get Safe Online’s research, one in eight ticket buyers on social media have fallen victim to scams, so it’s vital to be hyper-vigilant.
Check that the tickets seem legit
Make sure Beyoncé is actually performing at the venue – and on the date – the seller is claiming to have tickets for. For reference, the UK dates of her Cowboy Carter Tour take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 5, 7, 10, 12, 14 and 16. You can check her full schedule including concerts in France and the US here.
Neate says he’s heard countless “horror stories” of fans paying for shows that don’t exist. “I remember two young guys from Brighton who bought tickets to see The Rolling Stones at somewhere called Merthyr Tydfil Arena on social media,” he recalls. “Now, Merthyr Tydfil Arena is a completely made-up venue. They got all the way to Merthyr before they realised they’d been scammed.”
Bring in a second pair of eyes
Neate says it’s easy to wear “rose-tinted glasses” when scouring the internet for gig tickets. Because you’re so eager to see your favourite artist – and there’s so much competition from other fans – you’re ready to pounce when you think you’ve hit the jackpot. Get Safe Online’s research found that 42 per cent of UK consumers have bought tickets on social media despite the risks associated, and 27 per cent have used them out of desperation.
“Always ask someone else to look at the ticket listing before you buy, ideally someone who’s less invested than you,” Neate says. “If there’s something suspicious there, they’ll have a better chance of spotting it.” If it’s a website you’re unfamiliar with, check the details through official channels or use the Get Safe Online website checker.
Use a regulated secondary marketplace instead
The best way to avoid scammers is not to buy tickets on social media or other unregulated platforms.
If you are unable to get tickets via the official primary provider, then secondary ticketing websites with a money back guarantee, such as viagogo, can offer security and consumer protections and 24/7 customer support, says Tony Neate, chief executive of Get Safe Online. Make sure that payment pages have “HTTPS” in the URL so you can enter your credit card details safely.
“That’s why it’s so important for fans to have safe alternatives. More competition in the market gives fans greater choice in where and how they buy tickets safely. We want every fan to be aware of the risks of buying tickets on social media and to have access to multiple platforms and regulated marketplaces that protect them with a money-back guarantee.” says Neate.
Always pay using a credit card
This is an absolutely golden rule. “When a seller asks for a bank transfer or asks for the transaction to be taken off an official platform, alarm bells should ring – we’d advise to go nowhere near that transaction,” Neate says. He points out that there’s no good reason not to use a platform’s credit card payment facility when one is available.
Plus, if you use a credit card, you’ll likely be able to claim your money back from the credit card company. “If you pay by bank transfer and the criminals who’ve scammed you are any good – which they probably are – you’re unlikely to see that money again,” Neate warns.
As Neate points out, it’s not just money you lose when you get scammed. You also miss out on a once in a lifetime chance to see an iconic artist like Beyoncé. So if you’re looking for tickets after the official sale ends today, keep your wits about you at all times.
The post How to stay safe when buying Beyoncé tickets online appeared first on NME.
