Madonna tickets bought from touts will not be honoured - Flash

Organisers of Abu Dhabi’s Madonna concert have warned fans that tickets bought from unauthorised sellers will not be honoured and touts that sell tickets at inflated prices may be banned from future events.

Tickets to the US pop star’s first UAE concert on June 3 sold out within one hour of going on sale in February, prompting organisers Flash Entertainment to announce a second gig.

At the time of writing, there were 158 listings for Madonna tickets on sale via online classifieds site Dubizzle.com. One of these listings was advertising two 'Golden Circle' passes for AED13,000 (US$3,500).

“Flash will not honour any ticket which Flash knows to have been purchased in breach of its terms and conditions,” a spokesperson for the company said in an emailed statement to Arabian Business.

“If Flash becomes aware that you are selling tickets for a Flash event online at a significant premium, Flash can take those tickets back from you.  In such circumstances it’s also likely that you’ll be banned from buying tickets to future Flash events,” the statement added.

Ticket prices for both shows start at AED250 (US$68), with VIP tickets also available.

“Madonna’s track record as a world class entertainer and touring artist speaks for itself. Her artistry, talent and creative productions get bigger and better with each tour and Madonna 2012 will be no exception,” Arthur Fogel, CEO Live Nation Entertainment Global Touring and Madonna tour promoter, said in February when the concert was announced.

“We are thrilled to have her back on the road and know her fans feel the same,” he added.

The tour, her ninth to date, is to promote the 53 year-old singer’s 12th studio album MDNA. Part of her recent US$40m three-album deal with Interscope Records, the album is due to be released on March 26 and is already the most downloaded on iTunes in the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Canada, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Throughout her career, Madonna has sold more than 300m albums, has been awarded seven Grammy Awards and holds the record for the most successful tour by a solo artist in history.

UK pop legend Elton John has also announced that he would be performing at Abu Dhabi's Yas Arena on March 29.