“We’ve been in queues for Taylor Swift tickets. This should be easier,” a friend remarked the night before the mayhem. However, securing tickets for big concerts in India is rarely a straightforward task, and the Coldplay concert, part of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025, was no exception. As music festivals in India are gaining traction and more international acts are visiting, a Coldplay event continues to be a significant rarity, fondly remembered since their last visit in 2016. This concert brought a renewed wave of excitement and anticipation to their vast fanbase, many of whom consider it an ‘Adventure of a Lifetime.’
Just a day has passed since what will be remembered as ‘Coldplay ticketing Sunday’. The Internet remains abuzz with discussions, falling into two distinct groups: elated fans who defied the odds to secure their tickets, and those left in dismay and disbelief, some questioning if anyone managed to beat the system at all.
Creative, albeit expensive solutions, are being explored. Some fans consider booking rooms at the Marriott in Navi Mumbai, near the DY Patil Stadium, for a different concert experience. Scalpers are ubiquitous, causing anger and frustration as resold tickets soar to astronomical prices, prompting some to wonder if attending a Coldplay concert abroad might be more financially sound.
In the days leading up to the ticket release, fans meticulously analysed seating charts, watched numerous reels for the best seats, and coordinated group plans across cities for booking attempts. This planning raised significant questions: navigating multiple devices, handling communication if only some tickets were secured, and deciding who among the group would be left behind if the ticket allocation fell short.
Despite meticulous prep work, it was soon evident that securing a ticket was an arduous adventure of its own. Ticket sales were set to start at noon, but pandemonium ensued when the ticketing portal BookMyShow crashed under the strain of lakhs of enthusiastic fans logging in simultaneously. Despite the chaos, memes and jokes proliferated across social media, with Coldplay’s song ‘Fix You’ being humorously adapted to the pressing issues of the day, like “fix it.”
As ticketing began with a slight delay and fans entered the virtual queue, many found themselves waitlisted among tens or even hundreds of thousands. To address the overwhelming demand, a third show was added, offering fans another opportunity to secure their coveted tickets.
Ashwin Radhakrishnan from Chennai was one of the lucky ones, managing to book a ticket for his friend. His experience with booking tatkal train tickets proved advantageous.
. “I have a great strike rate with tatkal tickets and have become accustomed to the system. We kept trying until we succeeded. A friend dared me to get a ticket for her, and I secured a standing ticket for the second concert day,” he proudly shared.
The lead-up to the ticketing introduced unexpected twists, including a sudden change in the allowable tickets per person from eight to four, jeopardizing many group plans. Pooja Hemalatha from Chennai had incorporated the concert into a broader friendship pact involving a larger group. “When I joined the ticket queue, there were lakhs ahead of me. Thankfully, an extra show was announced, and I got into the queue for the third concert. I was at position 6,450 and secured standing tickets for the final day,” she recounted. Her strategy involved logging onto multiple devices with different IDs, teammates logging in from various locations, and pre-configured quick payment options.
A spokesperson from BookMyShow revealed that nearly 13 million fans logged in to try for tickets. “Today marks a landmark moment in India’s live entertainment history, showcasing true fandom, overwhelming love, and incredible excitement for Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India,” they stated on Sunday.
BookMyShow and BookMyShow Live highlighted their efforts to provide each fan a fair chance to secure tickets. They offered step-by-step booking guides and maintained transparent communication through official channels. “We implemented a queuing system to manage the overwhelming demand and swiftly addressed issues from suspicious traffic, causing a brief delay but ensuring minimal disruption for genuine fans. Due to the unprecedented demand, a third Mumbai show was added and also received a fantastic response,” they added.
As the dust settles, discussions around what is poised to be India’s biggest musical event continue unabated. For many fans, the journey to the concert has just begun, with arrangements for trains, flights, and hotel reservations in full swing. The excitement and anticipation continue to grow as Coldplay’s remarkable 2025 concert in India approaches.
