Umamusume: Pretty Derby Developers Offer Compensation for Canceled Travel Amid Fan Disappointment Over Concert Cancellation

Umamusume: Pretty Derby fans in the U.S. were eagerly anticipating their first home concert this week as part of the game’s musical world tour. Unfortunately, complications with visa approvals in the current political climate led to the last-minute cancellation of the anime horse girl event. This has left fans feeling disheartened, but the gacha game developer is stepping up with a surprisingly generous refund policy.

In Umamusume: Pretty Derby, players place bets on races featuring anime girls instead of traditional horses. Since its release in 2025, the game has garnered immense popularity and cultivated a dedicated fanbase. After winning mobile Game of the Year at last year’s awards, this fall’s concert tour was meant to be a celebratory highlight for fans, marking over a year of engaging with this unique sports anime life simulation. However, Cygames announced just before the event that it couldn’t secure the necessary paperwork for its performers to enter Los Angeles.

“Thank you so much for trying; it’s heartbreaking, but we know you did your best,” one fan expressed on social media. Another lamented, “This is not the America I wanted to live in.” Some fans pointed fingers at the previous administration, while others criticized the planning process. “Cygames waited until the last minute to get visas for the talents and didn’t pay to expedite them,” another fan noted. “This is disappointing, but visa arrangements should be handled well in advance. Cygames really dropped the ball here.”

Initially, Cygames planned to refund ticket purchases for the canceled concert, but they later announced that they would also cover flight and accommodation costs for those who traveled to L.A. specifically for the event. “For trainers who canceled their travel and lodging reservations due to the concert’s cancellation, we will reimburse the cancellation fees incurred,” the company stated on October 21. “For trainers who have already traveled to Los Angeles, we will reimburse travel and lodging expenses incurred during the target period that meet the requirements for reimbursement.”

The concert tour is set to continue in London, with dates yet to be announced. Fans might consider using their refunds to plan a trip across the pond.