Fyre Festival 2 “does not exist” according to an official statement from the tourist board in Mexico, despite founder Billy McFarland insisting otherwise.

Tickets to the second edition of Fyre Festival went on sale this week with the only confirmed detail being the location: Isla Mujeres, a tropical island off Cancún, Mexico.

McFarland said Fyre Festival 2 is due to take place from 30th May-2nd June, with ticket prices ranging from $1,400 to $25,000. Premium packages are being priced as high as $1.1 million.

Appearing on the Today show, McFarland insisted, “Fyre 2 is real. My dream is finally becoming a reality.”

According to the announcement on Fyre Festival’s official Instagram, the event is to be produced by Mexican events company Lostnights.

“We’re producing a highly exclusive, boutique and sustainable experience for FYRE Festival 2, set for May 30 – June 2, 2025,” Lostnights said in a statement. “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.”

However, the tourist board and local officials have since released a statement that should alarm anyone who has bought a ticket.

Speaking to the Guardian, Edgar Gasca, from the tourism directorate of Isla Mujeres, said, “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.”

Gasca had been in Bogotá, Colombia for a tourism fair when he heard the news. He added that he had spoken to the minister for tourism in the state of Quintana Roo as well as the hotels listed as official accommodation on the Fyre website. None had been approached by Fyre about the festival.

Atenea Gómez Ricalde, municipal president of Isla Mujeres, confirmed that the only information she had was what had been written online. “People are trying to use the peace and tranquillity we have created here for their own benefit,” she said.

“The organisers didn’t even bother to approach the authorities,” Gasca added. “It’s very strange, because any manager knows that if you’re going to hold an event, let alone a massive event, you need municipal authorisation.

“I think they thought they would just announce it and see if it got traction, then ask for the permits halfway down the path. It’s a bit of a naive way to think.

“This festival is not going to happen. There are red flags all over the place. 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.”

The first edition of Fyre Festival in 2017 was mired in disaster and controversy as music acts cancelled, and guests were greeted with inadequate accommodation and a lack of organisation.

McFarland was convicted of fraud and sentenced to six years in prison for his part in the festival. He was released after less than four years, but had to repay $3 million to a former investor. A New York court also awarded $7,220 each to 277 attendees.

He’s been publicly promising another round of Fyre since 2018, and in May 2023, he claimed to have financial backing to produce a Broadway musical about Fyre.