Two Umamusume concerts scheduled to take place in Los Angeles have been canceled due to difficulties in obtaining necessary travel visas for staff. The cancellations, announced on October 18 and confirmed the following day by developer Cygames, have left fans distraught, particularly those who had already made travel arrangements.
The official Umamusume: Pretty Derby English Twitter account initially stated on October 18 that staff were encountering visa acquisition issues, warning that this could impact the planned October 22 and 23 events. The game's fanbase expressed concern, with some noting the lengthy visa wait times currently affecting entry into the United States.
Cygames later confirmed the official cancellation of the Los Angeles concerts. The company is offering refunds for both on-site and remote streaming tickets. Cygames also stated that it is working on responses for attendees who had already made travel plans, acknowledging that this process may take time.
In a statement, Cygames explained, "Although we have coordinated repeatedly with all parties concerned and explored every possible option in our efforts to make this event happen, we were unable to obtain the necessary visas for entry into the US, so we have come to the painful conclusion that holding the concerts is no longer possible." The company issued a sincere apology for the inconvenience caused to fans, the Umamusume cast, partner company staff, and all involved parties.
The cancellation has elicited strong reactions from fans, with many expressing disappointment and sympathy for the organizers. Some fans commented on the broader political issues contributing to visa delays. The Umamusume community has a history of significant real-world impact, including fundraising efforts for racehorses and supporting charity events.
This situation is not isolated to Umamusume; other international artists and events have also faced cancellations or disruptions due to similar visa processing delays. Notably, K-pop artist Taemin was forced to cancel his North American tour due to issues securing visas for his staff and personnel.