Drake has done what many international artists seem to love doing lately – shifting New Zealand tour dates at the last minute. The God’s Plan rapper was set to play two highly anticipated back-to-back shows at Auckland’s Spark Arena on February 28 and March 1, 2025 for his ANITA MAX WIN TOUR. But now, thanks to what’s being called “scheduling conflicts,” the dates have been moved two weeks later to March 15 and 16, 2025.
If you’re a local fan who can make the new dates work – congrats, crisis averted. But for those travelling from other locations or even overseas this is a big deal!
Why Did Drake Reschedule His New Zealand Concerts?
Drake hasn’t offered an official reason for the sudden shift, but interestingly, just days before this announcement, two new Australian shows were added on March 4 (Brisbane) and March 7 (Sydney). Coincidence? Fans aren’t convinced.
While some argue that two weeks’ notice is plenty of time to adjust, others feel this follows an annoying trend of international artists prioritising larger markets and leaving NZ fans hanging. Travis Scott did something similar last year when he moved his Eden Park gig up a day and slashed ticket prices, causing outrage among early buyers. Blink-182 went even further, outright cancelling their Christchurch show just two weeks before it was set to happen.
Fans React to Drake’s Auckland Show Changes
The news didn’t exactly go down well. Ticketmaster’s email notification about the date change sent fans into a panic, with resale groups on Facebook and Reddit flooded with people trying to sell or swap their tickets.
- “Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?” one fan wrote on Reddit, calling out how often NZ gets the short end of the stick with touring artists.
- Another shared, “I was flying from California to see this show. Now I’m on hold with my travel agent hoping I can move my dates around.”
For fans who simply can’t make the new dates work, Ticketmaster is offering refunds – but there’s a catch. You need to submit your refund request by 5pm on February 11, 2025. Miss that deadline, and you’re stuck with tickets you can’t use.
Are Fans Entitled to More Than Just a Refund?
A big question surrounding these kinds of tour reschedules is whether fans should be compensated beyond just getting their ticket money back. After all, plenty have spent hundreds (if not thousands) on flights, hotels, and transport.
Under New Zealand’s Consumer Guarantees Act, if an event is outright cancelled, ticket holders get a full refund. But when it comes to rescheduled concerts, things get trickier. If the event organiser is found to have breached a guarantee, there might be a case for claiming additional costs. However, Consumer NZ states that things like accommodation and flights are usually not covered unless the seller is directly responsible.
So, if you’ve booked non-refundable travel for Drake’s original dates, you might be out of luck. Best bet? Check with your airline and hotel to see if changes can be made without extra fees.
Is This a Growing Trend for Concerts in New Zealand?
Drake’s last-minute reshuffle is just the latest example of big international artists treating New Zealand as an afterthought. From Travis Scott’s last-minute changes to Blink-182’s full cancellation, it’s becoming all too common for NZ fans to be left scrambling, or missing out entirely.
Some blame it on NZ’s small market size, while others think it’s a lack of accountability from promoters and ticketing agencies. Either way, it’s a frustrating trend for local music lovers who just want to enjoy live gigs without dealing with constant changes.
What’s Next for Drake’s New Zealand Fans?
For those who can still make the rescheduled shows, Drake will take the stage at Spark Arena on March 15 and 16, 2025. If you can’t go, make sure to request your refund by February 11 – and if you’re feeling burnt out from all these tour changes, maybe hold off on booking flights for the next big-name artist until they actually step on NZ soil.
