Fyre Festival 2 is nowhere near fruition despite organizer Billy McFarland’s claims, Mexican officials say.
Tickets for the late May/early June 2025 event, reportedly being held on Isla Mujeres, have gone on sale, but the necessary paperwork hasn’t been filed yet, officials say.
On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the Ayuntamiento de Isla Mujeres (the city hall for the Mexican Island) released a statement about the planned follow-up to the chaotic 2017 event. The “General Directorate for Tourism of Isla Mujeres informs that no person or company has requested permits from this office or any other municipal government department for said event,” it read.
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The city hall advised people to get information about tourism-related events from their “official communicated channels.”
Edgar Gasca, Director General of Economic Development and Tourism of Isla Mujeres, also denied that officials were aware of the festival, telling The Guardian in a story published on 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.”
According to its website, Fyre Festival 2 is going to be held from May 30 to June 2, with general tickets starting at $1,400.
PEOPLE reached out to Mexican government officials and Isla Mujeres officials for comment but did not immediately hear back.
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The original iteration of Fyre Fest took place in April 2017 with big-name models and influencers set to be in attendance. Upon arrival, guests learned the event was disorganized, with makeshift tents and box lunches — a far cry from the promised luxurious experience.
McFarland was found guilty of two counts of wire fraud in relation to the festival and served time in prison from 2018 until 2022.
Following comments from Mexican officials regarding Fyre Festival 2, McFarland spoke out in a video on Instagram, saying, “I figured it would be best to hear directly from me what’s actually happening.”
“First, Fyre 2 is real. Second, we have incredible partners leading the festival. They’re in charge of all the logistics, productions and operations. This includes an incredible production team in Mexico who does not F around. There is no way they would ever take on a fake festival,” he said.
McFarland told viewers that the festival had accommodations and talent are set to perform.
“My partners and I have remained in communication with local and state government to ensure full compliance and a successful event that benefits the local economy, shares the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean with the world and helps make right for all the wrongs,” he said.
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“Fyre 2 is moving forward and we are moving forward with full integrity. From now on, updates will come directly from me,” continued McFarland.
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