Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Bengal Promises Messi Event Ticket Refunds for 33,000 Fans
About 33,000 people bought tickets to see Lionel Messi at an event in Kolkata.
The event became very crowded and poorly organized.
Many fans said the arrangements did not work properly.
Tickets cost between Rs 4,000 and Rs 8,000.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari criticized how the event was managed.
He said the government is working on a process to return the ticket money.
The refunds are expected to come from the state sports budget.
He also highlighted that some ordinary fans used much of their savings to buy tickets.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said refunds are being arranged for about 33,000 spectators.
The reimbursements will be funded through the state sports budget, according to Adhikari.
He criticized crowd mismanagement, overcrowding and logistical failures at the Kolkata event.
Tickets reportedly cost between Rs 4,000 and Rs 8,000 each.
Adhikari said some ordinary supporters spent substantial savings to attend the event.
- Who
- About 33,000 spectators, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Lionel Messi.
- What
- Authorities announced procedures to refund ticket money to spectators affected by the event’s mismanagement.
- When
- The announcement was made on Saturday during a National Sports Day programme; the event took place last year.
- Where
- The event was held at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata.
- Why
- Refunds were announced after severe overcrowding, crowd mismanagement and logistical failures affected the event.
- Refund beneficiaries
- Approximately 33,000 spectators
- Refund funding
- West Bengal’s state sports budget
- Ticket prices
- Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000
- Event location
- Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, or Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
- Event subject
- Lionel Messi
- Reported problems
- Crowd mismanagement, severe overcrowding and logistical failures
- Announcement setting
- A National Sports Day programme