Announcing an Invitation to the Future!

We know that for many, securing a ticket is what solidifies Black Rock City plans and kicks off other projects related to the Burn. Opening that envelope in the mail, seeing the Survival Guide, and enjoying a Fireball candy makes it all real.

We are pleased to announce an Invitation to the Future!

The idea is simple: Those who have the financial means can buy a reservation that guarantees access to purchase one ticket to each of the next two Black Rock City events at the published Main Sale price. In other words, securing a reservation ensures you have an opportunity to get a ticket the next two times we can gather together in Black Rock City. This is a chance to secure your own future participation in Black Rock City and support Burning Man Project.

Here are the details:

  • The Invitation to the Future opens April 10 and can be accessed through your Burner Profile (set one up or update yours now!)
  • Up to 1,000 reservations will be available for $2,500 each, with the option to contribute more.
  • Individuals will be able to secure a maximum of two (2) reservations.
  • Each reservation will ensure the holder future access to purchase one (1) regular-priced ticket to each of the next two (2) iterations of Black Rock City. (A reservation cannot be redeemed to purchase two tickets to the same iteration of BRC.)
  • These reservations are nonrefundable and nontransferable. However, when reservations are redeemed to purchase tickets, those tickets will be fully transferable subject to the terms and conditions applicable to that event.
  • Please check with your tax advisor as to the tax-deductibility of any of the amount paid for a reservation.

Visit your Burner Profile to get started right away!

Full details can be found on the Burning Man ticketing page.

 

While many have been hit hard financially this past year, others are able to help without sacrificing their own comfort and wellbeing. The Invitation to the Future is a way for those who can to demonstrate their belief in the global cultural importance of Burning Man and Black Rock City – a way to invest in the limitless possibilities of our co-created future.

The Burning Man community has always depended on each individual contributing when and how they are able, trusting in the natural balance of the organism to shift, rise, and compensate as needed. It is on the strength of our beautifully varied backgrounds and lived experiences that the community must now rely more than ever. The Invitation to the Future is an expression of the extraordinary Communal Effort that will be required to continue offering the healing and inspiration of Burning Man to the world.

Where does this money go?

Running a global, year-round arts nonprofit is a huge undertaking. Securing a reservation to the future allows us to continue the work of returning to Black Rock City safely. It’s our number one priority, and what our entire staff (and we know, many of you, too!) wake up every day thinking about. We are also charged with supporting the global, year-round Burning Man culture, a responsibility we care about very deeply. Reservations to the future will enable Burning Man Project to both bring back Black Rock City and continue doing the important work of supporting and empowering our global community through our nonprofit programs.

Remember, Burning Man Project doesn’t have corporate sponsors (see Decommodification), and ticket sales are normally 90% of our annual revenue. Over the course of 2020, we received gifts of $10 to $5,000,000 from more than 21,000 generous, amazing people to help us through the collective dust storm of the past year. We’ve heard loud and clear that people would like to show their support for the future of Burning Man by securing access to future tickets. Offering reservations to the future will give an opportunity to those wishing to support our future, while also serving as an invitation for some to begin planning their next BRC adventure.

What about the 2021 Directed Group Sale and Main Sale?

Those of you who are part of the various Directed Group Sale (DGS) teams have already received notifications from the respective departments (Placement, DMV, Art) to submit your needs for 2021. Because of the many steps involved, we have to continue preparations so we are ready to go if we can build BRC this year, but we do not expect to be activating the DGS or other sales until closer to a “go” decision is made.

See you in the future!


Cover photo by Juan Zapata

About the author: Burning Man Project

Burning Man Project

The official voice of the Burning Man organization, managed by Burning Man Project's Communications Team.

45 Comments on “Announcing an Invitation to the Future!

  • The Hustler says:

    This is an interesting idea. If I had the means I’d be all over it.
    See you in the dust (hopefully).

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  • Phillip K says:

    Interesting. I wonder if there will be a FOMO sale or if this Reservation is just that. A minimum reservation of $2500 now to guarantee a spot to buy a Main sale ticket for the next two burns. I am crunching numbers now. Hope to see you all there.

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    • David William Delve says:

      Guaranteed Ticket with no vehicle pass?

      Report comment

    • Who buy’s one? one needs a minimum of two tickets but what good is a ticket with no guarantee of a vehicle pass

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    • Papa Bear (not the placer) says:

      If you check the FAQ linked on the ticketing page (I’d link to it directly, but I think my earlier attempt triggered a spam filter), it does say that there will be no FOMO sale this year.

      Per the same FAQ, those who purchase reservations will also have the opportunity to buy a vehicle pass when they actually purchase their ticket.

      Report comment

  • Thomas S says:

    Price of reservation does NOT include the price of the two tickets, correct?

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  • Hi Guy’s
    Missing each and everyone of you. First, Canadian so no tax benefit for any donations I have made over the years. Have always bought FOMO (two) tickets that also guarantee me a vehicle pass. Really fail to see this as a benefit to me as two single guarantees for separate consecutive events just does not cut it. If I bought this am I limited to one future purchase… no, also no vehicle pass but a guaranteed ticket.. no thanks, I’ve seen those people hanging out in Empire. Was this thought out or a knee jerk reaction to some quick cash, thought times for sure

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    • Papa Bear (not the placer) says:

      If you check the FAQ linked on the “Invitation to the Future” ticket page, it specifically says that people with a reservation *will* be given the opportunity to buy a vehicle pass.

      Report comment

  • David William Delve says:

    So, sell me two tickets with a vehicle pass for two future events and not consecutive (due to variant COVID Strains and a closing of our borders) and I’m in, hell I’d even up my annual donation to the Arts Foundation

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  • David says:

    Yes!!! Thank you Marian et al. I just purchased two invitations for my wife and I. Best money I’ve spent.
    This is a great way to help support the org. I do not consider this an option only for the rich. $5000 is a lot of money to me. But I am willing to do a huge amount of work for Burning Man, and that includes the work it’ll take to earn my $5000 back. It’ll allow me the opportunity to do the work I REALLY enjoy, like pounding rebar into the playa and mixing cold drinks for thirsty desert wanderers. See you on the playa, hopefully 140 days from now. Cheers!

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    • Wow Cool says:

      If $5000 was actually a lot of money to you, you wouldn’t be able to spend $10,000 for the right to spend another couple thousand (maybe) 6 months from now. I like the energy of support you bring, but I think it’s bogus that this is not for the rich – it clearly is. Be real.

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      • David says:

        How dare you!! I have half a mind to drive over there in my Bentley and bop you over the head with my diamond-encrusted cane. Lucky for you, I have to go foreclose on a beet farmer’s deed and twirl my black moustache instead.

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    • Thiel Bezos says:

      You have a black mustache to twirl? REALLY? I’m so envious. As a teen, I decided I didn’t like facial hair, so I had it lasered off. Now when I’m foreclosing on my peasants, I look kind of like the Pillsbury dough boy. It’s hard to be taken seriously as a super vulture without the right look.

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      • Chad says:

        Facial hair is a symbol of toxic masculinity and the patriarchy. Also, being wealthy is the same as being evil. No one should be wealthy, just wealthy enough to go to Burning Man, but that’s it.

        Report comment

  • THE Goddess says:

    If we purchase the reservation does the cost go to the tickets??

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  • Wow Cool says:

    Wow, when i first started heading to the playa you could reserve a spot to buy a ticket by submitting a thoughtful essay on why Burning Man mattered to you and the world, and now you have to pay to pay for a ticket? What happened? Your organization has plenty of money, even just the fact that you were given $5,000,000 plus in donations in 2020 proves that. I have to say I’m disappointed by the message this offering sends to the world that, yes, Burning Man is a party only for the wealthy. I guess that’s just how it goes….

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  • JAROMIR kUBIAS says:

    My first burn was in the eighties. I sympathize with all the people needing support, which is sponging from BM, but I live on SS and need support myself. I could not enjoy the burn for a few years now because BM is pricing itself out of the reality for an ordinary person, So very sad how the event changed from hippies to the affluent.

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  • Chad says:

    This is a great idea. I run a large camp and we’re willing to pay more for guaranteed spots, but we need them to be transferrable. DM me. We can make this VERY worth your while, BMorg. Thanks!

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  • Jake says:

    To all the critics of this plan, would you rather Burning Man not happen? It takes money to produce the event. Millionaire camps have been on the playa since the late nineties. They’re as much a part of the event as the naked guys who bring nothing with them. There’s more elitism among the BM middle-class than in any millionaire camp I’ve been to.

    I’m in favor of BMorg doing whatever it can to raise enough money to produce the event. Another plan would be to sell placement, one row behind the Esplanade. I know camps who would gladly pay $100k for a 50×50 plot. They could sell 50x50s on the Esplanade itself for a lot more than that. Oh, but that’s toxic capitalism, oh no. Welcome to the real world. Now stop complaining!

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    • BobC says:

      But how about if the funds are not used to put on the event, like what if they are doing this to generate $2.5M this year, so that they can pay all the six figure org salaries, but don’t actually put on the next event until next year. Are you still good with it?

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  • Kat says:

    Could someone clarify, as the reservation-to-ticket jargon is a bit much for someone speaking English as a second language: I need two different reservations to purchase two tickets for one same future event (as I’d very much like to go with my husband)?

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    • BobC says:

      See my comment below about PSLs….buying a reservation for $2500 gives you the right to buy one ticket during the main sale for $400 for the next two years.

      Good luck with that.

      Report comment

  • art says:

    These are not transferable.
    Can they be inherited

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  • PlayaDoc says:

    Just another sop to the rich elites, corporate types, celebrities, and other well-heeled newbies to the (previous) heart of Burning Man. I had thought that the last 5-8 years of increasing marketing and boot-licking of the elites – with turboprop arrivals, gators meeting the “guests”, transport to luxury already-fully-stocked camps, with pre-fab air-conditioned housing, $150,000 “John Madden” buses, on-site servants, coolies, cooks, go-fers, drugs, prostitutes, closed parties, closed art cars, burn-viewing seats on cherry-pickers, private parties with the “Founders” – was enough. But…no. Now, they want you pay a non-refundable $2,500 – NOW – to buy two $500 tickets in the future, a an event that may never happen. So typical of where Burning Man has gone. Do the “modern” participants realize that the great majority of “traditional” or “original” participants no longer come to the playa? – not only because they are priced-out, but because they are grossed-out. Way to go, Founders!

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    • Mike Miller Bunny says:

      The community experience so fondly trumpeted as the living skin of the Burning Man is pocked, scarred, and so lacerated that it is no longer the durable integument needed to sustain the Burning Man’s viscera. Last year’s community was such a stark and realistic representation of modern civilization that it reminded me of my own downtown Oakland.

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  • art says:

    One way to look at it…
    if you go to 2021 and 2021 TTITD

    2500 upfront
    1000 tickets for 21, 22
    total 3500
    1750 per year
    or, about $350/yr year more than FOMO tickets per year

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  • Roberto Torres says:

    Sounds lame as fuk

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  • Amanda says:

    I’m curious how many people donated back their 2020 tickets. It was a big chunk of change for many (myself included) to donate, rather than request back, especially when so many were facing the loss of work and/or pay. I was kind of hoping that, in consideration of those donations, those folks would have been among the first to be guaranteed a chance to buy tickets for 2021. To be offered this ‘opportunity’ to pay $2500 for that option feels kind icky. I know that BMorg needs to raise a ton of money to make it all happen, but taking care of those that take care the org seems like it would have been more in the spirit.

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  • Learnerburner says:

    I don’t understand all the hate. BMOrg needs money now, so it is effectively pre-selling 2 years of FOMO tickets to those who would buy FOMO tix anyway and can afford to commit to two years and pay most of it now. It doesn’t change the demographics a bit, except maybe for the better, because the invites went through the profiles and the burners who accept it will be people who are very certain where they want to be in August 2023.

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  • bradford Richardson says:

    1000 tickets…..its an opportunity for those who have the means can also help support the org…..its only 1000 tickets…..what is everyone getting so upset about.

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  • Craya says:

    I think you should be able to buy two tickets, two two people. I don’t want to buy one just for myself.

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  • Jeremy says:

    Hi
    Didn’t find the info on the website.
    Is the tax deduction possible if you live abroad and are not an US citizen?
    Thanks!

    Report comment

  • Dr. fiesta says:

    If they allowed two tockets it would make more sense. Furthermore a better way would be to make 5-10k tockets available cor the price of 10k that allows you a ticket dor the next 12 burns for example. That way you raise lots of money and actually have a good deal for those fitting the bill
    Upfront. This from a. Financial and ethical perspective makes no little sense and it’s a PR nightmare ! Burning man has lost the right to talk about plug n plays for example as it itself uses the same tactics.

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  • BobC says:

    These new “ticket reservations” are no different than when professional and Division 1 college sports teams sell Personal Seat Licenses (PSL) to football and basketball games.

    PSLs are sold to give the buyer “the right” to purchase season tickets and are used to generate additional non-refundable and non-transferable revenue (unlike tickets) in situations where there is more demand than supply. In other words, it is used to squeeze more money out of the most ardent supporters in the situation where revenue would otherwise be capped by the lack of ticket availability above a set threshold.

    Good to see that Burning man is now walking in the well-tread footsteps of some of the most capitalistic, big businesses that regularly value profit over people.

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  • BobC says:

    These new “ticket reservations” are no different than when professional and Division 1 college sports teams sell Personal Seat Licenses (PSL) to football and basketball games.

    PSLs are sold to give the buyer “the right” to purchase season tickets and are used to generate additional non-refundable and non-transferable revenue (unlike tickets) in situations where there is more demand than supply. In other words, it is used to squeeze more money out of the most ardent supporters in the situation where revenue would otherwise be capped by the lack of ticket availability above a set threshold.

    Good to see further encroachment of the default world onto the playa, now that Burning man is walking in the well-heeled footsteps of some of the most capitalistic businesses that regularly value profit over people.

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  • Jahn says:

    I feel with all of the creative and industrious people that make up ‘burner’ culture we should be able to come up with something better then this. $2,500 for nothing but a chance to buy a ticket at some point in the future frankly just feels like a slap in the face.

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  • Chief says:

    I think $2500 would be fair for 4 tickets in the next 2 burn, no matter if 2021 is actually happening. But just the chance to buy a tickets seems unfair.

    lets keep it simple. what we want is to get together. I understand Borg needs cash, but make everything back to basics, but risking the money for something that is really happening or not without expecting the big stuff sounds fair.

    we just want to get together in Aug.

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  • Where's Larry says:

    Decommodification!

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  • Zatara says:

    Everyone complaining about the $2500 future reservation may be forgetting the fact that every year Burning Man offered a ridiculously priced presale of tickets for those who could afford it way before the main sale. Now there just doing it much earlier and you’ll lose your mind. Burning Man organizers have always put the interests of Burning Man above everything, and that’s the way it should be. Your complaints are akin to complaining about climate change while you hook up your F350 to your travel trailer while strapping down your generator.

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  • CowsGoMoo says:

    Are these all gone? Shoot, I missed the memo when the reservations went for sale. The ticketing page for them just keeps redirecting to the login page.

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