Guides › Tickets and Events › Can I Get a Refund If I Cannot Go to an Event?
Can I Get a Refund If I Cannot Go to an Event?
If you change your mind or cannot go, you are not entitled to a refund. The usual 14-day cooling-off period does not apply to tickets for events on a set date. Check the seller's terms and whether official resale is allowed.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
The Short Answer
If You Change Your Mind
If you change your mind or cannot go, you are not entitled to a refund. source
No Cooling-Off Period
The usual 14-day cooling-off period for online and phone purchases does not apply to tickets for leisure events that state a specific date or time period, such as concert tickets. Once you have bought, you generally cannot cancel just because you changed your mind. source
Refunds on Resale Tickets
From resale, secondary, private or fan-to-fan sellers you are unlikely to get a refund, so check the seller's terms and the event or artist's website before you buy. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- NoneCancel a ticket just because you changed your mindNo cooling-off period for tickets with a fixed event date; check the seller's own terms
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Check the seller's terms for transfers or official resale.
Step 2 of 4
Ask the seller whether it can help.
Step 3 of 4
If the event is cancelled or moved, you can claim a refund.
Step 4 of 4
Avoid unofficial resale where it is banned.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
STAR Complaints Procedure
Your ticket seller is a STAR member and has not put it right.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 12 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/event-tickets/getting-a-refund-on-an-event-ticket Checked 12 October 2026
- nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/exemptions-right-cancel-consumer-contracts Checked 12 October 2026