Update at 11:15 GMT: KAN’s CEO has now instructed Leean to cancel the tickets that were sold to senior Israeli officials and to put them back in stock for future sale. Our original article remains below.

After months of anticipation and speculation, Eurovision 2019 tickets finally went on sale last Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of fans swarmed on the Leean website, securing their tickets to the various shows. Within just a few hours, all tickets for the grand final were sold out, leaving many fans disappointed and upset.

As a result, social media was very active during the weekend, with many fans expressing anger about the lack of tickets. Many people reported that they faced technical problems on the website which resulted in an inability to complete their transactions.

KAN decided to check these complaints and, according to Israeli media, has found what they define as “irregularities”. This includes the distribution of about 300 tickets to senior officials in the Israeli sports industry and to family members of the hosts — Erez Tal, Bar Refaeeli and Assi Azar. Curiously, it was also reported that Netta Barzilai’s family weren’t able to get any tickets. They might miss their daughter’s performance — and her passing on the trophy to the Eurovision 2019 winner.

Sale on hold

Due to its findings, KAN instructed Leean to put the sale on hold and it is now conducting an investigation into these irregularities. This includes the questioning of Leean’s CEO who has said that Leean acted exactly as instructed and that they received specific orders to allocate tickets to these people. That’s not all — in addition to the alleged irregularities on behalf of Leean, KAN also claims that many tickets are now being illegally resold as their original buyers are trying to turn a profit. The Israeli minister of interior affairs, Mr Gilad Erdan, has instructed police to investigate this matter and to file charges.

Dare to buy

There is also some good news in the whole ticketing saga. It appears that more tickets will be available, including for the grand final, once the investigation is completed. This is scheduled to take place in April when tickets go back on sale. Additionally, there are reportedly many tickets still available, regardless of these incidents. This includes tickets to both semi-finals, rehearsals, family shows and the green room. However, this has not been officially confirmed by KAN and cannot be verified as the sale is now frozen.

It should also be noted that the Tel Aviv municipality has its own plans to address fan disappointment. For those who will not be able to purchase tickets to any of the shows, the Eurovillage at Charles Clore Park will offer a live screening of the semi-finals and grand final and it will also include a food market. The municipality is also organising celebrations throughout the city at outdoor stages.

Are you going to try to buy tickets in the next wave in April? Do you think that distributing tickets to the hosts’ family members is fair? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more Eurovision 2019 news

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La Signora
La Signora
5 years ago

Yeah, I agree. I also think that Israel in may is not even that hot. Unfortunately I can’t afford a trip to Israel right now 🙁

Miriam Cicinitzchi
Miriam Cicinitzchi
5 years ago

It’s not fair that hosts be given priority tickets, whether paid for or not. They are doing a job for pay…a coveted job. Were it voluntary that would be a different story.

AndTheRestIsHerstory
AndTheRestIsHerstory
5 years ago

Hahahaha dare to buy? More like dare to sale!

Israel is such a floozy, please get it back to a western and more advanced NOT CORRUPT country anymore thank u…. next!

gilpgilp
gilpgilp
5 years ago

Which country does not give ticket preferences?

Marty Mc CU
Marty Mc CU
5 years ago

A smaller venue in an expensive destination outside of Europe, what do people expect when they voted for Israel to win last year? I think people need to just live with it . The best advice is to watch the competition from the tv screen as that is what it is designed for. At least sell off all the tickets now , so that visitors know whether or not to travel to Israel now. The second round in April may be too late in the day as prices for accommodation and flights goes higher every day. I would secure tickets… Read more »

La Signora
La Signora
5 years ago
Reply to  Marty Mc CU

I voted Netta for her song, not necessary because I wanted Israel to host Eurovision

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

This includes the distribution of about 300 tickets to senior officials in the Israeli sports industry and to family members of the hosts —> this is massive scandal!!! wow it never happened before in such large scale.

Israel keeps disappointing and gathering negative publicity but i think they will give us a very good show.

It’s a shame the next wave is in April, how are we going to book our accommodation for Israel if we don’t have tickets??? everything is so late.

Youyou
Youyou
5 years ago

That day was horrible. First the queue was released hours before. Then the whole website just crushed down…… i cant take the tickets to the blanket. Tho finally got the standing ticket but the price is unbelievable…

galit
galit
5 years ago

It is clear to everyone that there were senior officials who received VIP treatment for buying tickets to the show almost at all Eurovision Contests until now. Only in Israel does the media and orginizers intervene immediately to stop it and this is a good thing.

Anisa
Anisa
5 years ago

I think this is the song ( I read somewhere that he had said in a dutch interview that his song would be called ‘Closer to the heart’) I don’t really like it though. ‘I miss you’ is way better.

Pancake
Pancake
5 years ago

I really hope this will be fixed as fast as they could so many people would stop complaining already.

dygh
dygh
5 years ago

I hope it’s not

Lindon
Lindon
5 years ago

Retracted.

Ben
Ben
5 years ago

I still wonder where are the tickets for 300 shekels…

dan
dan
5 years ago
Reply to  Ben

Released in april. Cheap tix are always released late

Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago

Sounds good, but “I Miss You” had more impact at first listen. I want to listen to it fully though, cause I really like those 20 secs

Jonas J
Jonas J
5 years ago

Israel hosting the event in the first place in light of it apartheid state and politics is a disgrace. Quite frankly I’m so over Mr Sand, EBU and the shallow slogan: “Dare to dream” – dream of what, I ask?

Sal
Sal
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas J

Stop demeaning the oppression of non-whites in South Africa by throwing around the term “apartheid” at democratic countries, it’s incredibly disrespectful. You might not like everything the Israeli government does but that doesn’t mean it’s equal to the racist white-majority apartheid regime of South Africa pre-1993. Smh.

Richard
Richard
5 years ago

This is the worst organization that has been so far. And the most expensive Eurovision 🙁 Israeli song – I wish her victory in 20 years. Distributing tickets to people who are not associated with being a fan is not honest with real fans!

Pyotr
Pyotr
5 years ago
Reply to  Richard

Worst organization? I’m guessing you didn’t pay much attention in 2017.

Richard
Richard
5 years ago

See you next year’s Eurovision! Is bad organizer.

Richard
Richard
5 years ago

It’s not fair!

La Signora
La Signora
5 years ago
Reply to  Richard

Poor babe

Stevie
Stevie
5 years ago

What was disappointing was that rather than assigning everyone who was in the queue at sale time a random queue number it was based on how early you had joined the queue.

esc stan
esc stan
5 years ago

I bought a ticket for second semi final! I’m excited 😀

Sal
Sal
5 years ago
Reply to  esc stan

I got one for SF1 😀

La Signora
La Signora
5 years ago
Reply to  esc stan

Congratulations, good luck 🙂

Janice
Janice
5 years ago

“Hundreds of thousands of fans swarmed on the Leean website, securing their tickets to the various shows”

With a maximum capacity of 7,300 and lets say they’re selling maximum capacity for all four performances of each of the three shows – that’s a maximum of 87,600 fans who secured tickets.

That’s NOT “hundreds of thousands”

Sloppy journalism!

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
5 years ago
Reply to  Janice

The onylly word that’s missing is “trying to secure”

quint
quint
5 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Your profile pic 😮 imagine Frisia would participate at Eurovision XD san marino situation

James
James
5 years ago

Dare to defy.

At least, that’s more than enough time for those who can save more than enough to finally buy those tickets.

AndTheRestIsHerstory
AndTheRestIsHerstory
5 years ago

Can this get more messy? Israel just stop it already… you have caused enough drama this year

American ESC fan
American ESC fan
5 years ago

?????

Sal
Sal
5 years ago

They’re trying to solve it and they’ve been very open about the issues, what more do you want? This isn’t even Kan’s fault, it’s the ticket seller’s.

Also, what other drama? Are you confusing Ukraine with Israel?

David
David
5 years ago
Reply to  Sal

Well, there is definitely more drama than if let’s say Sweden organizes it. Maybe there is some drama, but they probably keep it more behind closed doors, while in Israel the media make every little thing into a major story…

Loin dici
5 years ago

At least they’re honest there is something.