Ticket return policy for cancelled LA

by Matthias Voelker

86th Airlift Wing judge advocate

The legal office has been advised that fans may be having difficulty securing a refund of the LA Galaxy/FCK soccer game that was scheduled for Thanksgiving Day.

The sponsor of the event, Canadian promoter IMC Group from Toronto, has so far refused to refund ticket prices. Even though not responsible for ticket refunds, the local soccer club, 1.FC Kaiserslautern (FCK) has agreed to assist fans who have been unable to get refunds from the sponsor of the cancelled game.

Two options have been offered by the FCK team: Customers can exchange Galaxy tickets for a voucher in the same value for tickets to a FCK home game or they may have a straight exchange of Galaxy tickets for tickets to a FCK home game, usually in the next higher category. 

There are restrictions, however. No cash refunds in full or in part will be given. Vouchers can only be used for the first five FCK home games in 2010. Likewise, exchange tickets are only available for these five games. There will be no compensation for unused voucher values. And vouchers can only be used for tickets and not other items, such as merchandise or souvenirs.

To take advantage of the offer, customers must give their Galaxy tickets to FCK. In addition, individuals must also sign a letter releasing FCK of any further liability as well as agree on a transfer of their refund claims for the Galaxy tickets against the promoter. The release form is available at www.fck.de/fileadmin/001___PORTAL__/001_downloads/News/DK_Erklaerung.pdf.
The exchange can be accomplished in person at the FCK Service Center (South Stand of the stadium on the street Zum Betzenberg) or by mail to FCK-Ticketing (1.FC Kaiserslautern e.V., Fritz-Walter Strasse 1, 67663 Kaiserslautern). No exchange is possible on match days.

This is a voluntary offer from FCK even though they are not legally bound to compensate ticket holders. It appears the Canadian promoter, IMC Group from Toronto, is responsible for all refunds. According to FCK, the IMC Group is currently not responding to ticket refund claims.