Bonnie McLaren BBC Newsbeat
July 12, 2023
Image credit: Getty Images
Image caption: Taylor Swift will be heading to the UK for a stadium tour next year
Tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour are currently the most in-demand in the UK.
But it’s an even tougher experience for disabled fans trying to secure seats for shows at Wembley Stadium.
Accessible seating for the show is not sold through Ticketmaster and must be ordered by calling the venue directly.
Some complaints include people being kept waiting for hours or not being able to get tickets.
Wembley Stadium told BBC Newsbeat that demand for tickets had been “unprecedented”, resulting in longer than usual waiting times.
Sarina Glazebrook said she called more than 200 times to get through to an access line.
The 22-year-old, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, described the experience as “frustrating” and feels it should not be too difficult for disabled fans to obtain tickets.
“We know tickets to this show and tour will be hard to get, but with thousands of people with disabilities and one phone line, that’s 20 more hurdles in front of us,” she said.
“Especially since I’ve previously purchased accessible tickets online.”
Image courtesy of Sarina Glazebrook
Image Caption: Sarina Glazebrook finally got her Taylor Swift tickets
Sarina eventually received advice from another fan to call Wembley’s hospitality line to be transferred, but not all fans were transferred.
Given the conditions in Salina, you will need a ticket for your companion.
“They need someone with them at all times, especially when they leave the house,” she says.
“Besides the physical disability, I have a tendency to black out, forget where I am, and become easily overwhelmed.
“It really helps to be able to sit in a space where you don’t have to walk or climb as many stairs.”
Image caption: India works as a commissioning coordinator at the BBC but is also an avid Swift fan
It took India, 27, founder of Swifties with Disabilities Network, a disability advocacy group, two days of trying to get tickets.
“I was born with cerebral palsy and have trouble with balance, so I need accessibility requirements,” she says.
She said she tried to get tickets through Ticketmaster but wasn’t able to get the seats they were selling.
“Without disability options, I have very few options,” she says.
Ticketmaster is selling accessible tickets for shows in Edinburgh and Cardiff.
India said she was disappointed that disabled fans had to buy tickets for Wembley Stadium over the phone.
“I am truly disappointed as I have been one of the lucky people to have had the privilege of being connected to Taylor Swift for many years.
“She’s been really generous with me, and I know she’s going to hate this.
“She would be really disappointed if disabled people were basically excluded because of inadequate phone lines.”
A Wembley Stadium spokesman added: “For customers who are unable to wait on the phone, we have a callback system in place which can be accessed via our website.”
Newsbeat airs live weekdays at 12:45 and 17:45, or you can listen back here.