Like many of you, I have treasured memories of spending summer days at Stern Grove concerts. From picnicking early in the morning to enjoying amazing performances in the afternoon, these concerts have formed an integral part of my childhood and adulthood. Sadly, the recent change in the ticket distribution process threatens to take away these cherished moments.

On April 4th, 2025, Stern Grove announced their new lottery-based ticket distribution system - a move which has introduced unnecessary hurdles for regular concert-goers. Entry into the lottery requires submission of an email, but does not guarantee a ticket. This has divided families and friends, some of whom might win a ticket, while others may not, making group planning extremely challenging. Moreover, the sheer uncertainty of winning in itself creates a stressful experience. When the comments came pouring in on Instagram of dislike towards the new ticketing system instead of listening to the people of the Bay Area Sten Grove administrative disabled comments.

Additionally, this system is alarmingly vulnerable to bot attacks, further reducing the chances for genuine music lovers. Concerts should be about unity, enjoyment, and community - not about the luck of the draw or who has the most sophisticated bot system.

We are not alone in these concerns. Similar lottery-based ticket systems have been criticized worldwide for their lack of inclusivity and fairness. For instance, a survey by AudienceNet/LOOP found that 48.6% of concert-goers in the US felt ticketing is a serious obstacle to attending live music events, with unfair ticket distribution being a significant problem.

We request Stern Grove to reassess their new ticket distribution system and restore the traditional process, or keep the ticketing process they've been using for the last 5 years which allowed us to plan, prepare, and truly appreciate the magic of the summer concerts. Please sign this petition to champion the cause of regular concert-goers and preserve the communal spirit of the Stern Grove concerts.