Garth Brooks Cancels Tampa Shows Due To Stanley Cup Conflict
Garth Brooks hasn’t played in Tampa in over 16 years. Unfortunately, fans are going to have to wait even longer to see him there again, thanks to the Stanley Cup.
The Tampa Bay Lightning made it to the NHL Stanley Cup Final for the first time since their big win in 2004. The Bolts have home-ice advantage over the Chicago Blackhawks for Games 1 and 2. Game 2 is also the night Garth Brooks was scheduled to play at Amalie Arena — home of the Lightning. He and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, released an official statement, saying all three Tampa shows were canceled due to safety concerns with getting network crews out and their crew in. Brooks said while they will reschedule if they can find a date that works for the venue and the tour, all tickets will be refunded.
#TAMPA: ALL 3 PERFORMANCES OF THE GARTH BROOKS WORLD TOUR @AmalieArena HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. Msg from Garth http://t.co/1BafWanXhS -TeamGarth
— Garth Brooks (@garthbrooks) May 31, 2015
“First of all, we would all like to congratulate the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks for reaching the Stanley Cup Final. As we now know, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final is being played on Saturday, June 6th. All parties looked into moving Saturday’s two Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood shows to Sunday. The issue of getting the network crews and their gear out of the building and getting our crews and gear into the building late Saturday/early Sunday for two shows on Sunday raises serious safety concerns. It is because of those safety concerns that the choice is being made to refund all shows and reschedule depending on finding a date that works for both the arena and the tour.
Many fans were devastated that a hockey game crushed their dream of seeing Garth Brooks, who hasn’t toured in 14 years.
I have been waiting 20 years to see @garthbrooks live. Now a hockey game is going to ruin a life long dream. #SayItAintSoGarth #GarthInTampa — Matt Oberlin (@oberlin73) May 31, 2015
Some hockey fans weren’t at all sympathetic.
Sorry Garth Brooks fans…. Lightning ALWAYS comes before Thunder! #GoBolts. @garthbrooks @AmalieArena
— Bobby Blish (@Blishy) May 31, 2015
Garth and Trisha go on to thank those who exhausted all options searching for a solution, and wished Tampa good luck.
“This was a hard decision for everyone. We would like to thank Elmer Straub at Amalie Arena and Tod Leiweke with the Tampa Bay Lightning for working around the clock for the last 48 hours to find a remedy for the situation. We personally know Gary Bettman and are very familiar with the League and its players, coaches, and staff…they are all stand-up people. We are convinced everything that could have been done was done to try to remedy the situation. Congrats again to the City of Tampa, good luck, and we will be watching the series!!!”
Instructions for obtaining a refund can be found on Garth Brooks’ official website. Tickets purchased through Ticketmaster by phone or online will be automatically refunded.
[Image Ethan Miller/Getty Images]
