Country music legend Garth Brooks used his social‑media channels on Friday to inform fans in Kansas City that ticket sales for his added Saturday matinee on Nov. 7 at the T‑Mobile Center had been temporarily shut down. The pause came after the promoter’s online platform was flooded with automated “bot” purchases, which Brooks described as “out of hand” and increasingly problematic throughout the tour.
Bot traffic forced a sales halt
Tickets originally went on sale at 10:00 a.m. local time. Within half an hour, the system began to experience a surge of non‑human traffic that prevented genuine fans from completing purchases. At approximately 10:35 a.m., Brooks’ team posted an update saying sales were being evaluated, and a second update at 10:49 a.m. confirmed that the bot situation had forced a temporary shutdown.
Brooks promises to protect fans
In a heartfelt social‑media message, Brooks said, “My concern is for the people who managed to buy tickets today for the third show in Kansas City before the bots crashed the on‑sale. I will personally look into what can be done. You have my word that all that can be done will be done. You have my deepest apologies for the results and my most sincere appreciation for your efforts today.” The singer emphasized his commitment to ensuring that fans who successfully purchased tickets will receive the support they need.
Impact on the local community
The added show was a welcome boost for the Kansas City area, promising additional tourism dollars, restaurant traffic, and employment opportunities for venue staff. Local businesses near the T‑Mobile Center often see a surge in patronage on concert nights, and the cancellation of ticket sales could temporarily affect those anticipated economic benefits. However, Brooks’ reassurance that the issue is being addressed offers hope that the concert will proceed as planned, preserving the expected community uplift.
What fans can expect next
Brooks and the promoters have not yet announced a new time for ticket sales to resume. Fans are encouraged to monitor the artist’s official social‑media accounts and the T‑Mobile Center’s website for further updates. The team indicated they are exploring technical solutions to block automated purchases and protect genuine buyers in future sales windows.
Broader context of ticket‑sale bots
Automated ticket‑purchasing bots have become a growing concern across the live‑event industry, often allowing scalpers to buy large blocks of tickets and resell them at inflated prices. While the practice is not illegal, it undermines the fairness of the ticket‑buying process and frustrates fans. Brooks’ public acknowledgment of the problem aligns with a broader push by artists and venues to implement stronger anti‑bot measures.
Fans who already hold tickets for the upcoming show are advised to keep an eye on their email and the official ticketing platform for any further communications regarding seat assignments or potential refunds, should any issues arise from the bot‑related shutdown.
Original reporting: KSHB 41 Kansas City (local) — read the source article.
