The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to live events, with show cancellations and postponements becoming a regular part of life for venues and promoters alike. While things have stabilized, the ripple effects of those times continue to reshape how venues handle these disruptions. The good news: we’ve learned some valuable lessons along the way, and many venues are better prepared to manage cancellations and postponements without taking as big of a hit.

From rethinking kill fees to implementing new strategies that minimize financial loss, here’s a look at how the landscape has evolved and what venues are doing to stay ahead.

Check out the below clip from our Make More Money webinar, "The Venue/Promoter Relationship", where Andrew Hall, founder of Colt Classic Presents, shares his experience in minimizing loss from show cancellations.

The Evolution of Kill Fees

Kill fees—those agreed-upon payments to cover costs if a show is canceled—have become a central part of negotiations between venues and promoters. Pre-pandemic, kill fees were often straightforward, but now, with so much unpredictability still lingering, they’ve taken on a new level of importance. Many venues are working to build more flexibility into these agreements, negotiating for higher percentages or creating tiered kill fees based on the timing of cancellations.

This has helped venues recoup a bigger portion of their losses, especially in cases where cancellations happen at the last minute. It’s all about creating clearer expectations upfront so that both sides have a safety net when things don’t go as planned.

Diversifying Income Streams to Reduce Losses

One of the biggest lessons learned from the pandemic is the importance of diversifying revenue streams. For venues, relying solely on ticket sales has become a high-stakes game. More and more venues are focusing on ancillary revenues—whether it’s partnerships with local vendors, increased emphasis on merch, or pre-show experiences—to cushion the blow of an unexpected cancellation.

These alternative income streams help venues stay afloat, even when a show gets scrapped at the last minute. It’s not a complete solution, but it’s an important strategy to minimize losses and keep the business running smoothly, no matter what curveballs come their way.

Flexibility with Postponements

Another big shift has been in how venues approach postponements. In the past, moving a show date was often complicated and met with hesitation. Now, it’s become more common for venues and artists to embrace the idea that postponing is better than outright canceling.

This shift has given both parties more leeway, allowing venues to save on costs and avoid issuing refunds while artists get a second chance to connect with their fans. For many, it’s a win-win scenario that reduces the sting of disruptions and helps maintain relationships with audiences.

Planning for the Unexpected

Perhaps the most crucial takeaway from the post-pandemic era is the importance of always having a Plan B. Many venues now build contingency plans into their scheduling, ensuring they have backup dates lined up for key shows, agreements on potential refunds, and clear communication with fans about what happens if a show falls through.

Technology has also played a huge role in helping venues respond quickly to these changes. From digital ticketing that makes refunds or reschedules easier to platforms like Opendate that streamline communications between venues, promoters, and artists, venues are more agile than ever.

Show cancellations and postponements are never ideal, but venues have come a long way in how they handle these disruptions. With smarter kill fee agreements, diversified income strategies, and greater flexibility, many venues are now equipped to navigate these challenges with less financial risk. It’s a new reality for live events, and while it’s not perfect, these lessons have given venues the tools to roll with the punches and keep the music playing.