Peter Kay: O2 priority website and app crash as fans struggle to get early-access tour tickets

Lydia Chantler-Hicks

November 10, 2022 at 10:34 AM·3 min read

The O2’s priority website and app crashed on Thursday morning as Peter Kay fans scrambled to snap up tickets to the comedian’s comeback stand-up tour.

Kay announced on Sunday he is returning with a live comedy tour - his first in 12 years - which is due to start in December and run until summer 2023.

He also announced he will be performing a monthly residency at London’s O2 Arena, in Greenwich. He will become the first comedian to be given his own residency at the venue.

Tickets went live for those with O2 priority access at 10am on Thursday - 48 hours before becoming available to the general public.

But “extraordinary” demand left the customers struggling to reach its website or app.

We’re seeing unprecedented demand for Peter Kay tickets & we know a lot of you can’t access Priority. Sorry, we’re working on it. Please be patient; this is by far the highest demand we’ve ever seen for Priority Tickets in 15 years. The presale lasts for 48h so keep checking.
— O2 (@O2) November 10, 2022

Apologising to customers on Twitter shortly after 10am, O2 said: “We’re seeing unprecedented demand for Peter Kay tickets & we know a lot of you can’t access Priority. Sorry, we’re working on it.

“Please be patient; this is by far the highest demand we’ve ever seen for Priority Tickets in 15 years. The presale lasts for 48h so keep checking.”

The priority website was still down for some customers at around 3.30pm.

O2 assured that tickets were being successfully purchased, and urged people to “keep trying”.

Announcing his tour on Sunday, Kay said: “If there’s ever a time people need a laugh, it’s now. And, with the cost of living at an all-time high, ticket prices are starting from £35. The same price they were on my previous tour in 2010.”