Coachella’s $600 tickets were mostly purchased using buy now, pay later options

Coachella. The name alone conjures images of sun-drenched fields, booming music, and… expensive tickets. Really expensive.

But here’s a little secret about how so many people managed to swing those $600+ passes. A new report says a whopping 60% of attendees used a “buy now, pay later” option.

$600 for a Ticket? Ouch.

Let’s be real. $600 is a lot of money. Especially when you factor in travel, food, and, you know, those flower crowns.

Tickets started at $649 for the first weekend and $600 for the second. Can you believe it? Back in 2020, they were reportedly $429. And in 1999, the very first Coachella? A mere $50.

How Did They Do It?

Coachella has been offering a payment plan since 2009. But this year, it exploded in popularity. Only 18% of attendees used it back then.

Here’s how it works: Coachella partnered with AXS, a ticketing company. They let fans pay off their tickets over three months. A little bit now, a little bit later.

The Fine Print

Coachella doesn’t charge interest. That’s good news. But, there is a $41 fee for using the service. That’s about 8% of the ticket price.

Here’s the catch. Miss a payment by more than 10 days? Your order gets canceled. You get a credit for future festivals. But it expires after a year. Use it or lose it.

Big Money, Big Music

Coachella makes bank. Over $115 million in ticket sales every year. And the artists? They can earn up to $5 million per weekend. Not bad, right?

Next time you’re wondering how everyone can afford Coachella, remember the “buy now, pay later” plan. It’s the little secret that helps keep the music playing.