Speculation abounds as to why Burning Man has released more tickets so soon before its 2024 edition.
If it’s not one thing, it’s another when it comes to Burning Man lately. Prior to last year’s edition — when an unprecedented rainstorm froze tens of thousands of participants in place in Nevada‘s Black Rock Desert — tickets underwent an apparent drop in demand. Now, Burning Man has launched an OMG Sale with only a few weeks to go before this year’s event — and unlike previous years, there’s no need to pre-register.
In a press release, Burning Man Project CEO Marian Goodell called the experience offered by the nine-day art festival “the antidote to today’s societal division and polarization,” sharing that organizers “fulfilled demand for our earlier sales” and are “in a position to offer greater access to more people as the event nears.” She continued, “This ticket sale is an exciting opportunity to connect more people interested in Burning Man and the arts and culture.”
Social media commentators familiar with how Burning Man operates suspect differently. Anecdotally, more attendee hopefuls seemed able to secure tickets in this year’s Main Sale than in previous years. Because of how the event is largely based on the willing participation of theme camps, a large number of attendees usually leave the main sale empty handed as even Burners who don’t plan to go that year buy tickets to ensure more of their campmates can.
The OMG Sale is not unprecedented on its own — but the fact that tickets can be purchased on demand without pre-registration is. The sale aims to move about 3,000 tickets for $575 apiece, and around 1,500 vehicle passes at $150 each.
Burning Man 2024 runs from Sunday, August 25 – Monday, September 2. Purchase tickets and find additional information on the event website.
