Full Breakdown
Consumer Complaints Surge After Mayday Concert Cancellation in Hong Kong
3/13/2026, 5:00:29 AM
Overview of the Event
Hong Kong's Consumer Council has reported receiving at least 174 complaints following the cancellation of a concert by Taiwanese rock band Mayday, originally scheduled for March 24 at Kai Tak Sports Park. The concert was rescheduled to March 29, leading to significant frustration among fans, particularly those traveling from mainland China and overseas.
Details of Complaints
As of Thursday, the Consumer Council noted that 80 complaints originated from local residents, while 94 came from fans outside Hong Kong, amounting to a total of HK$485,333 (approximately US$62,010) in claims. The largest local complaint was for HK$7,900, while the highest claim from non-local fans reached HK$8,000. Complaints primarily focused on the lack of priority booking or ticket exchanges for the new concert date and the absence of compensation for travel and accommodation costs incurred by attendees who had planned to visit Hong Kong for the original show.
Official Statements & Responses
Alaina Shum Jiu-fai, chief executive of the Consumer Council, emphasized the need for the concert organizer to respond promptly to consumer concerns. She stated, “Our primary concern is their arrangement for refunds … the channels, the timeline and whether personal details are required to ensure privacy is protected.” Shum also urged affected fans to contact the council to safeguard their consumer rights and maintain records of any arrangements made with the organizer.
The record company B’in Music announced that all tickets for the canceled concert would be automatically refunded through the original payment channels, including service and delivery fees where applicable. Additionally, a free 40-minute rehearsal event would be held on March 24 as compensation, with entry dependent on the original ticket purchase platforms.
Criticism & Opposition
Lawmaker Alex Fan Hoi-kit raised concerns regarding the legality of the concert cancellation, suggesting that it might violate the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. He indicated that there could be grounds for civil claims against the organizer for continuing to accept payments despite the cancellation. Fan noted, “We could also look at whether there might be grounds for civil claims, which would be [on the organiser] wrongly accepting payment.”
What's Next
As the situation develops, the Consumer Council is expected to continue monitoring the organizer's response to the complaints. Fans are encouraged to keep records of their interactions regarding refunds and compensation to ensure their rights are protected.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We tried very hard and finally managed to reach the organiser last night. It took us days,” — Alaina Shum Jiu-fai, Chief Executive, Consumer Council
- “We could also look at whether there might be grounds for civil claims, which would be [on the organiser] wrongly accepting payment,” — Alex Fan Hoi-kit, Lawmaker
This incident highlights the challenges faced by concert organizers in managing consumer expectations and the legal implications of event cancellations.
