The inherent nature of live events leaves any production, no matter the scale, vulnerable to an extensive list of risks. As part of a robust risk management strategy, promoters should consider securing insurance to help mitigate potential financial and reputational repercussions from event cancellation.
Event cancellation: a complex risk profile
Promoters must remain agile and vigilant against the broad range of factors that could result in the cancellation, curtailment, abandonment, or postponement of their event.
Recent years have seen numerous high-profile cancellations across the globe that highlight the unpredictable nature of live events, some of these include:
In August 2024, the Austrian leg of Taylor Swift’s worldwide tour (opens a new window) was cancelled due to terror threats.
In April 2025, rock band Muse scrapped a gig (opens a new window) in Istanbul due to pressure from anti-government protestors in Turkey.
In June 2025, Marilyn Manson cancelled a Brighton concert (opens a new window) after campaigners and the local MP protested the show was against the ‘city’s values’.
In June 2025, Willie Nelson (opens a new window) was forced to postpone a show (opens a new window) as a result of an ‘extreme weather event’ in the US.
In August 2025, Coldplay announced (opens a new window) that two London dates from their tour would be rescheduled due to a planned Tube strike.
The potential impact of a cancellation
For promoters, the cancellation of an event can result in various immediate impacts, as well as, significant damage to the viability of future productions. Typical consequences of event cancellation include:
Loss of profit
Reputational damage
Sunken costs
Ticket refunds
Exploring insurance as a safety net
Event cancellation insurance is designed to offer financial protection if an event is cancelled, postponed, interrupted, curtailed or relocated due to circumstances beyond your control. Insurance is available for a multitude of risks, and some promoters may be surprised at what can be covered.
Coverage is available for various factors, such as:
Adverse weather
Venue damage or destruction
Denial of access to the venue
Civil commotion
Terrorism
National mourning
Transportation disruptions
Cyber attacks
In addition, coverage is also available to promoters to protect against financial losses if an artist or key speaker is unable to perform. These policies are designed to cover:
Death
Accidental bodily injury
Illness
Travel Delay
There are also broader policies designed for promoters that can cover typical artist exclusions in non-appearance wordings such as, but not limited to, preexisting medical conditions, any hazardous activity outside of the event, possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol, and diva behaviour.
Building risk resilience as a promoter
There are multiple steps that promoters must take to help limit the chances of a cancellation occurring, and, if the worse was to happen, to ensure that they are insulated against potential consequences.
At the earliest possible stage, you should identify and mitigate, where possible, the pertinent risks to your event with considered contingencies in place as part of a thorough event management plan (EMP). A robust EMP will be flexible enough to accommodate developing and emerging risks in the run-up to the event, such as inclement weather, industrial action, or political climate.
Additionally, to help prevent potential legal repercussions in the event of a cancellation, agreements with all partners, performers, and organisations associated with the event should be secured beforehand in a timely manner.
Working with us
Lockton’s Entertainment Practice can collaborate with you to understand the unique risk profile of your event, and help you secure bespoke insurance solutions. Providing a ‘one stop shop’ for all forms of entertainment insurance, we can engage with insurers to secure the most appropriate policies to your risk profile.
For further information on how you can secure event cancellation insurance, please reach out to a member of the Entertainment practice here. (opens a new window)