Billy McFarland and his team behind the controversial Fyre Festival 2 are doubling down on claims that the event will take place in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico — even after local government officials flatly denied any knowledge of the event.
Playa Del Carmen Officials Say “No Such Event Exists”
Earlier this week, government officials from the municipality of Playa Del Carmen — a popular coastal town just south of Cancún — released a public statement that cast serious doubt on the festival’s legitimacy. The Spanish-language message, posted on official social media channels, translated in part to:
“There is no existence of a registry nor plans that would indicate such an event taking place in this municipality.”
They added, “No such event with that name will take place in our city,” suggesting not only a lack of permits but also a total unawareness of the festival’s supposed location.
Fyre 2 Team Claps Back with Receipts
In response, the Fyre Festival 2 team took to social media to defend their claims, asserting that they have been working directly with Playa Del Carmen authorities since early March. The team shared a series of screenshots as proof, including what they claim are:
- A pre-authorized permit application for the event
- Email exchanges with city officials allegedly discussing logistics and partnership opportunities
The team insists that negotiations and planning are ongoing, despite the government’s public statement.
Not the First Venue Controversy
This is not the first time Fyre Festival 2’s location has come under scrutiny. When Billy McFarland initially announced the return of the infamous music festival earlier this year, Isla Mujeres — an island near Cancún — was named as the planned site.
However, shortly afterward, officials from Isla Mujeres also denied any involvement, stating they had no record of the event and had not issued any permits.
It was around this time that McFarland and his team pivoted, claiming they had moved operations and were now coordinating with Playa Del Carmen instead.
Billy McFarland: “This Time It Will Be Massive — and Legit”
In a previous interview back in February, McFarland promised that Fyre Festival 2 would be bigger, better, and more legitimate than its disastrous 2017 predecessor, which famously collapsed into chaos and sparked multiple lawsuits and a six-year prison sentence for McFarland.
“We’ve learned from the past,” Billy said. “This time, everything is being done by the book.”
While his assurances have drawn some skepticism, McFarland has remained adamant that the second Fyre Festival will be a success, emphasizing transparency and partnerships with reputable vendors.
So Who’s Telling the Truth?
At this point, it’s unclear whether the event is genuinely being planned in Playa Del Carmen or if the festival’s organizers are simply jumping the gun with premature announcements.
No official permit has been confirmed by government agencies, and no final location or lineup has been released to the public.
What’s Next for Fyre Festival 2?
With fans and critics alike keeping a close eye on developments, the pressure is on for Billy McFarland to prove that Fyre Festival 2 won’t be another logistical disaster.
Whether the event materializes in Playa Del Carmen or elsewhere remains to be seen — but for now, confusion, controversy, and conflicting claims continue to define the Fyre brand.
