Fyre Festival 2 axed weeks before event after location map ‘directed fans to the ocean’

Fyre Festival 2 was set to open in just two months, but out of the blue ticket holders have been issued a refund as it may not have existed at all.

The festival, following on from 2017’s infamous Fyre Festival, was reportedly due to take place in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, from May 30 to June 2.

However, the local Playa del Carmen government has said there is ‘no event of that name’ expected to take place in the city, as per The Times.

Co-founder Billy McFarland has since insisted that Fyre 2 ‘is real’, having previously spent four years in jail after being convicted of $26million worth of wire fraud.

‘We have incredible partners leading the festival,’ he insisted on Instagram. ‘This includes an incredible production team in Mexico who does not F around. There is no way they would ever take on a fake festival.’

Yet, the festival appeared to have no artists, no permissions and apparently no location either as the location listed on their website is in the middle of the ocean.

‘This festival is not going to happen,’ Edgar Gasca, a representative for Isla Mujeres’ tourism, told The Guardian recently.

‘There are red flags all over the place. If you go on their website and take the coordinates they provide, then put them in Google Maps, it takes you to the ocean — between Cancún and Isla Mujeres.’

The coordinates given at the bottom of the website lead to a point just off Coco Beach, seemingly a popular spot for fishing.

The entire event has been postponed indefinitely with automatic refunds issued to anyone who purchased a ticket — which were priced at $1,400 (£1,108.57) minimum.

‘The event has been postponed and a new date will be announced,’ a message to customers read, according to ABC News.

‘We have issued you a refund,’ it continued. ‘Once the new date is announced, at that time, you can repurchase if it works for your schedule.’

McFarland caused a storm on social media in April 2023 after teasing the return of the infamous event, writing on X: ‘Fyre Festival II is finally happening. Tell me why you should be invited.’

The ticket prices were staggering, ranging from $1,400 (£1,108.57) to $1.1million (£871,021), for the highest level of luxury.

The original Fyre Festival has become notorious for sad cheese sandwiches served to the Hollywood elite who flocked there in 2017.

Gig-goers were left sleeping in FEMA tents after arriving at the scam festival, which had Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and other famous faces in the promos.

Blink-182, Major Blaze and the hip-hop group Migos were set to headline but the festival quickly descended into chaos and resulted in McFarland’s prison sentence.

On April 4, McFarland hit back at reports that the festival do-over was a fake and wrote on X: ‘FYRE has been working directly with the government of Playa del Carmen (PDC) and their officials since March 5, 2025 to ensure a safe and successful event.

‘All media reports suggesting our team has not been working with the government of PDC are simply inaccurate and based on misinformation.

‘FYRE has operated as a good partner with PDC government and has followed the proper processes and procedures to lawfully host an event.

‘We will be sharing all relevant permits, payments, and communications.’

He has not shared any further updates following the postponement and ticket refunds.

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