Snoop Dogg Cancels Auckland Concert Following Promoter’s Legal Issues
Snoop Dogg has canceled his scheduled concert at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand. The decision comes after the show’s promoter, Pato Alvarez, was publicly identified following a guilty verdict for allegedly sexually assaulting his children’s babysitter. The cancellation occurred just days before the performance, and fans who purchased tickets will receive refunds.
4ward Entertainment, the promoting company, cited “circumstances beyond” its control in a statement. They said, “Due to circumstances beyond our control, Snoop Dogg will no longer be performing in Auckland this weekend. We apologise to all fans who were looking forward to the show on Saturday, September 20. We understand the disappointment and inconvenience caused. Our goal was to deliver a first-class, New Zealand-first show and we are saddened this is no longer possible. All refunds will be processed automatically by Eventfinda. This will take 2-5 days depending on your bank.”
Alvarez had previously been found guilty on two charges in 2023, but fought to keep his identity private as an unnamed “entertainment industry figure.” The Supreme Court rejected his request last week, confirming Alvarez’s identity.
Despite this cancellation, Snoop Dogg is scheduled to perform later this month at the 2025 AFL Grand Final in Australia. The upcoming show remains controversial following backlash over his homophobic remarks on the It’s Giving podcast last month, where he criticized the 2022 Pixar film Lightyear for featuring an LGBTQ+ character.
Australian Senator Sarah Hanson-Young publicly called for Snoop Dogg to be dropped from the AFL event. She described him as a “slur-merchant” and suggested the platform should instead feature an Australian artist.
The Auckland cancellation highlights the challenges artists face when promoters encounter legal or reputational issues. Fans will have to wait to see if Snoop Dogg’s future shows in the region proceed without further disruptions.
