12-14/06/25 Hradec Králové
Park 360

Official statement

23. 04. 2020

Dear Rock for People fans,

We are all going through a difficult time now and facing challenges unprecedented in modern history. A few months ago, we would not have thought that within a few days we could lose the security we were used to, and admit there may still be situations that can turn our world upside down.

There is no easy way to say this, but sold-out Rock for People will not take place at the planned date this year. We believed for long enough that the pandemic might end soon and together we could celebrate its overcoming at the festival area. Unfortunately, the safety measures that are being applied do not permit us to hold a festival to the extent and quality we wish, and have planned for over a year.

We have been hosting Rock for People for 26 years and I can say with a clear conscience that this year’s sold-out festival was about to become “legendary”. The fans’ interest has exceeded all the existing records and we have put an enormous amount of energy into its preparation, so we could start the next quarter of a century in style. I can assure you that we are already putting all of our energy into substituting this year’s date in 2021 and to keep as much of the current program as possible.

We are negotiating date changes with the agents and management of the artists, and we are trying to maintain the existing line-up. Your tickets remain valid for the new date.

If you are able to do so, please keep your tickets for next year.
Why should you do this? Rock for People is now in the final stages of preparation. You made us incredibly happy with the sales of the festival tickets and at the same time, it is a promise that we will not disappoint you. We wanted to return your trust and make this year’s edition the best in the history of the festival. In order to fulfil this dream, most of the construction has already been ordered from abroad, and considerable deposits have been made. The same goes for artists. We paid 15% VAT on the entrance fee, paid rents, marketing, operating costs, and much more. The final form of the festival area is now ready. The entrance fee covers part of the costs of the festival; another part of the income is generated during the festival. If we were to start returning the admission fee to a greater extent, it would mean the end of the Rock for People festival, as Czech insurance companies do not offer so-called “cancellation insurance” or pandemic insurance. The insurance only covers cases such as vandalism, theft, weather whims, injuries, etc. Your support in the form of keeping your tickets and accommodation is therefore extremely important to us.

We fully understand that the situation is not easy for you these days either. If you need your money back, we have prepared a form for you to apply for a refund. If you have any questions or ticket requests, please write to [email protected]. We will send you information regarding the refund within a few weeks, thank you for your patience.

Please do not contact a GoOut ticket retailer. Our team is ready to answer all your questions and requests.

You often ask us if there is any way to support the festival.
Keeping your ticket for next year is a huge form of support for us and we thank you for it. You will not only support the festival itself and the artists, but also a huge number of workers in the culture who may not be visible, but music festivals would not be possible without them. The value of the ticket can be determined by you.

Giving up – that is not our style. Rock for People has overcome several difficult obstacles in the 26 years of its existence, whether it was the year in which a storm destroyed the main stage the day before the festival started, or in 2012, when two storms met directly above Hradec Králové Airport, and the festival was interrupted and evacuated for several hours. These crises were overcome thanks to the competence of the people who work for the festival and the positive energy that you, the fans, are bringing. So even these experiences give us hope and faith that we can handle this challenge together with you.

Thank you for your understanding, patience, and for being with us!

Michal Thomes
Festival director

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS

Will RfP be held on 18-20 June 2020?
No, it won’t. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we were forced to postpone the festival to next year. At the moment, we are negotiating an exact date and agreeing with the agents and management of the bands so that we can carry it out in the year 2021, preserving as much of the original line-up as possible.

What is the date for Rock for People 2021?

We are cooperating on a new date with festival headliners, managements, and agents. As soon as the date is decided upon, we will let you know.

Will the line-up be the same in 2021?
We are working on keeping as much of the current line-up as possible.

Can I somehow support the festival?
Please keep your already purchased ticket and accommodation for next year. With your decision, you will support not only the festival itself and the artists, but also a huge number of cultural workers who may not be visible, but without whom music festivals would not be possible. Or let’s meet at the upcoming concerts! We are preparing autumn events that you won’t want to miss.

I have a ticket and purchased accommodation; how does it become valid for the new festival date?
The ticket remains valid. By keeping them, you support not only the artists and the existence of the festival itself but also many of our colleagues who lost their jobs from one day to another – agents, sound and light engineers, technicians, production team, stage managers, bartenders, cleaners and much more. Thank you, in the name of all these professions.

I purchased a ticket in the JUNIOR category. Is it going to be valid?
Yes, these tickets also remain valid for next year, due to the circumstances we have decided to move the age limit.

Will it be possible to purchase tickets that are released by refund?
Yes, it will. As soon as we announce a new date, we will start the pre-sale of released tickets. We will announce everything in time so that you have the possibility of purchase.

Is the festival insured?
Yes, the festival is insured by default, however, the festival insurance only covers cases such as vandalism, theft, weather whims, injuries, so-called “cancellation insurance” or pandemic insurance by the Czech insurance company. Only a few insurance companies in the world mediate this insurance, yet even insured festivals are not sure of the insurance coverage, as happened to Hellfest.

Until when will it be possible to request a refund?
There will be enough time. As soon as we confirm the new date of the festival and the first artists, we will announce the deadline for a refund. Thank you.

I don’t want to go to the year 2021, how can I return the ticket?
We fully understand that the situation is not easy for any of us. If you need to return your ticket, we have prepared a form for you to apply for a refund. After registration, please be patient, we know about you and we will contact you within a few weeks with the refund procedure. In case of further questions, write to [email protected]