Canceled cultural or sporting events: can you get a refund?

While gatherings are regulated, performance venues cannot accommodate audiences, and physical activity and sports venues are closed, many events have been canceled, leading spectators and patrons to seek reimbursement.

In order to safeguard the cash flow of live entertainment entrepreneurs, organizers of sporting events and operators of physical and sporting activities establishments while respecting consumer rights, the Ordinance of 7 May 2020 amends by way of derogation the obligations of those traders to enable them to offer either a credit note or a refund to their customers.

Terms and conditions

The amount of the credit memo is equal to all payments made. When this credit memo is offered, you can only claim the refund after the credit memo expires.

The trader informs you by post or email of the amount of the credit note and the duration of its validity at the latest 30 days after the cancelation (if the cancelation took place before the effective date of the order, at the latest 30 days after this date).

It offers you a new service allowing the use of this credit note:

• of the same nature and category as the canceled service;
• the price of which is not higher;
• without any additional charges other than those resulting from the purchase of associated services.

This proposal shall be made within 3 months at the latest and shall specify the period during which you can accept it.

From receipt of the proposal, this period may not exceed:

• 6 months for contracts for access to physical and sports establishments and their associated services;
• 12 months for live performances and their associated services;
• 18 months for sporting events and their associated services.

In case of high quality service and higher prices, you will have to pay the additional amount.

If the benefit differs by less than the credit memo amount, the balance remains usable until the credit memo period expires.

If you have not used your credit note before the date of its expiry, you can be reimbursed in full for what you paid or, if applicable, for the balance of the remaining credit note.