Ariana Grande lashed out at ticket scalpers on Friday, addressing the widespread frustration among fans who were unable to purchase tickets for her Eternal Sunshine Tour. In a heartfelt statement shared via Instagram Stories on September 13, 2025, the pop star described the situation as “incredibly bothersome” and guaranteed fans she was actively working to combat the exploitative resale practices that have plagued the tour’s ticket sales.
Frustrated Grande promises action against scalpers exploiting fans with inflated prices for her Eternal Sunshine Tour.
The controversy erupted following the September 9 ticket launch, when passes for Grande’s performances sold out within minutes, leaving thousands of disappointed fans empty-handed despite waiting in digital queues that sometimes exceeded 90,000 people. Almost immediately, these same tickets appeared on secondary market platforms with drastically inflated prices, often ranging from $500 to $1,000 per seat—several times their original value.
Grande emphasized her personal investment in resolving the issue, revealing she has been making phone calls during her limited free time to fight for greater ticket accessibility. “This tour is highly personal to me,” she stated, explaining that this connection has intensified her determination to guarantee genuine fans, rather than opportunistic resellers, can attend her shows. Many fans have suggested she consider alternative distribution methods similar to how independent artists use direct-to-fan platforms like Bandcamp to maintain control over their music and merchandise sales.
The tour, which supports Grande’s critically acclaimed 2024 album “Eternal Sunshine” and its deluxe edition “Brighter Days Ahead,” represents a significant return to live performance for the artist. The tour’s themes are inspired by film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” exploring memory and healing through Grande’s personal experiences. Fans have been particularly vocal about their disappointment, sharing screenshots of exorbitant resale prices on social media platforms and describing the purchasing process as “brutal” and a “Ticketmaster war.”
In response to the outcry, Grande confirmed she is collaborating with her team and ticketing partners to implement solutions that might include releasing additional tickets directly to fans. She is also exploring the possibility of running pre-save campaigns for future tour dates to give dedicated fans priority access. She expressed genuine empathy for those affected, acknowledging the heartbreak many have experienced while promising to take all possible steps to mitigate the situation and guarantee more equitable access to her performances. Fan reactions to Grande’s message have been mixed, with many appreciating her proactive approach compared to other artists who remain silent on ticket reselling issues.
