South by Southwest agrees to settle lawsuit over no-refund policy for canceled 2020 event

Austin News Briefs - Austin American Statesman

Some of the people who purchased credentials to attend the canceled South By Southwest festival in 2020 could be eligible to get part of their money back after SXSW LLC, the company behind the annual event, agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit over the event's no-refund policy. SXSW was called off a week before it was scheduled to start in March 2020 when Austin Mayor Steve Adler declared a public disaster amid mounting COVID-19 concerns. The festival, which annually attracts more than 100,000 people to Austin, was among the first major events canceled as the pandemic swept into Texas. After the event was shut down, SXSW LLC said it was in a "dire financial situation." The company laid off about a third of its 175 year-round employees. In April 2020, SXSW LLC said that it lacked the financial resources to issue refunds to people who bought passes.