# Kanye West Concerts in St. Petersburg Canceled Amid Fraud Inquiry

> Partner agency Access Opera confirmed that Kanye West's planned October concerts in Russia will not take place, as authorities investigate the event's organizers for potential fraud.

- Published: 2026-09-30T10:32:37.000Z
- Category: politics
- Synthesized from 2 outlets: [The Insider (Russia)](https://theins.press/en/news/297723), [Meduza (English)](https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/09/30/russian-police-reportedly-investigate-organizer-of-canceled-kanye-west-concerts-in-st-petersburg-for-possible-fraud)
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Access Opera, a partner agency for the American rapper Kanye West, has officially confirmed that the musician’s scheduled concerts in Russia will not proceed. The performances were set to take place at St. Petersburg’s Gazprom Arena on October 10 and 11. Following the cancellation, police in St. Petersburg are investigating the Moscow-based Say Agency, which organized the event, for potential fraud after receiving numerous complaints from ticket buyers.

### Key numbers

- **9,000 to 160,000 rubles** — ticket price range
- **100,000** — tickets reportedly sold in first two days

**Why it matters:** The cancellation highlights the friction between commercial event planning and political scrutiny in Russia, specifically regarding the rapper's controversial public statements. The situation has resulted in a police investigation into the organizers, Say Agency, as thousands of ticket holders seek financial restitution for an event that was never formally approved by the venue or the Ministry of Culture.

## Official Backlash and Venue Status

The proposed concerts faced significant opposition from Russian officials and activists, who cited the rapper's history of antisemitic remarks and his public glorification of Adolf Hitler. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova publicly criticized the event, noting that organizers had failed to file an application with the Culture Ministry. Gazprom Arena management repeatedly stated throughout August and September that no concerts by foreign artists were scheduled at the venue for October.

## Refunds and Legal Investigation

While Say Agency previously claimed that the concert announcement and ticket sales were contractually approved, the event was removed from West’s official tour schedule by September 18. Ticket prices for the shows ranged from 9,000 to 160,000 rubles. Following the cancellation, ticket holders have demanded refunds and compensation for travel and emotional distress. The police inquiry into Say Agency is currently being conducted by the Petrogradsky district department, with findings to be forwarded to the Interior Ministry to determine if a criminal case is warranted.

### Timeline

- **August 24** — Gazprom Arena management stated the concert would not go ahead.
- **September 4** — Gazprom Arena reiterated that no foreign concerts were planned for October.
- **September 18** — The concerts were removed from West’s official tour schedule.

**Key points**

- Access Opera confirmed via Instagram that the concerts will not take place and directed refund requests to Say Agency.
- Tickets for the two-day event were priced between 9,000 and 160,000 rubles.
- Say Agency reported selling over 100,000 tickets within the first two days of sales.
- Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the event, citing the rapper's public praise of Adolf Hitler.
- Gazprom Arena management stated on September 4 that no foreign performers were scheduled to appear at the venue in October.