Fyre Fest founder Billy McFarland has announced he’s putting the festival’s brand up for sale, weeks after postponing the second iteration of the ill-fated music fest.
“A new chapter begins. After two years of rebuilding FYRE with honesty, creativity, and relentless effort, it’s time to pass the torch,” a statement shared on Instagram Wednesday read. “We’re officially putting the FYRE brand up for sale. To the right buyer: the platform is yours. Execute the vision. Make history.”
Earlier this month, Fyre Festival 2 — initially set to take place May 30 to June 2, 2025 — was postponed by organizers, with no new date set. Days after tickets went on sale in February, the festival — allegedly happening on Isla Mujeres, an island off the coast of Mexico — was instantly met with obstacles. The local tourism board claimed they “have no knowledge of this event,” while McFarland said he and his partners “have remained in communication with local and state government to ensure full compliance and a successful event that benefits the local economy.”
McFarland’s statement on Wednesday added, “Following the challenges we faced in Mexico, we were approached by several Caribbean destinations eager to host FYRE Festival 2. We dove into the process — meeting with national officials, conducting site visits — and we’re confident we’ve found the ideal location for the festival. While I’m incredibly excited, I can’t risk a repeat of what happened in Playa Del Carmen, where support quickly turned into public distancing once media attention intensified. For FYRE Festival 2 to succeed, it’s clear that I need to step back and allow a new team to move forward independently, bring the vision to life on this incredible island.”
The announcement of Fyre Festival 2 came eight years after the original festival ended in a disaster, leaving attendees stranded in the Bahamas and McFarland pleading guilty to fraud.
Read the full statement below.