Fyre Festival 2 tickets on sale, but Mexican officials say no permits have been filed
U.S. Marshals holding auction for Fyre Festival merchandise
The auction includes 126 minor assets from the infamous festival, which captured headlines in 2017.
LOS ANGELES - Tickets for Fyre Festival 2 are on sale, but Mexican officials say no one has applied for permits to hold the event.
The follow-up to the infamous 2017 festival is reportedly set for Isla Mujeres in late May or early June 2025. However, local authorities say they were blindsided by the announcement and have yet to receive any formal paperwork from organizers.
Is Fyre Festival 2 actually happening?
The backstory:
The original Fyre Festival in 2017, promoted as an ultra-luxurious event in the Bahamas, collapsed into chaos when guests arrived to find disaster relief tents, inadequate food, and no organized performances. Founder Billy McFarland was convicted of fraud and sentenced to six years in prison, serving under four years before being released.
PREVIOUS REPORTING: Fyre Festival 2 gets a date and location: What to know
Now, McFarland claims Fyre Festival 2 is moving forward. During an appearance on TODAY, he announced that the event is real and that tickets are on sale, promising a "boutique, exclusive experience."
According to the festival’s website, tickets for Fyre Festival 2 range from $1,400 for general access to $25,000 for an artist-level experience, which promises attendees a chance to "create the Fyre."
However, the local government of Isla Mujeres, where the festival is reportedly planned, released a statement on Wednesday, Feb. 26, denying any involvement. "No person or company has requested permits from this office or any other municipal government department for said event," the statement read.
What’s the response from local officials and hotels?
What they're saying:
Officials in Isla Mujeres say the festival has not been approved and that no formal steps have been taken by organizers to secure permits.
Edgar Gasca, director general of economic development and tourism of Isla Mujeres, told The Guardian in a story published Thursday, Feb. 27, "We have no knowledge of this event, nor contact with any person or company about it. For us, this is an event that does not exist."
The city hall of Isla Mujeres also advised people to rely on official channels for information about tourism-related events.
Hotels that Fyre Festival 2 listed as accommodations have also distanced themselves. Impression Isla Mujeres, one of the supposed partner hotels, told The Guardian it had received no inquiries from festival organizers and was investigating the claims.
Billy McFarland visits "JesseWatters Primetime" at Fox News Studios on August 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Gasca told The Guardian he doesn’t believe the festival will take place, pointing to multiple warning signs. "This festival is not going to happen," he said. "There are red flags all over the place."
One of the biggest concerns, he noted, was the location listed on the festival’s website. "If you go on their website and take the coordinates they provide, then put them in Google Maps, it takes you to the ocean – between Cancún and Isla Mujeres," he told The Guardian, laughing at the apparent mistake.
What do Fyre Festival 2 organizers say?
The other side:
Festival organizers insist the event is moving forward. A statement from event producers Lostnights said, "Fyre Festival 2 has secured top-tier private venues and hotels in partnership with our local allies who have established communications with the corresponding authorities to ensure full compliance and flawless execution."
Another group involved, UNIK Travel, claimed they were working with local and state officials to "establish certainty" for the event.
However, neither group has provided official documentation proving permits have been filed. Festival organizers did not respond to a request for comment from FOX TV Stations.
What's next:
With no official approvals in place and growing scrutiny, concerns remain about whether Fyre Festival 2 will proceed as advertised. While tickets are being sold for thousands of dollars, Isla Mujeres officials maintain that no paperwork has been submitted.
FOX TV Stations reached out to Mexican government officials and Isla Mujeres authorities for comment but did not immediately hear back.
The situation continues to develop as authorities and businesses on the island investigate whether any official steps have been taken to organize the festival.
The Source: This report is based on information from The Guardian and official statements from the city hall of Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Additional details were gathered from public comments by local officials, tourism authorities, and festival organizers.