Fun Pass app outage causes chaos at Sydney Royal Easter Show

Thousands of children have been left unable to enjoy rides at the Sydney Royal Easter Show after the popular “Fun Pass” app went down on opening day.

Families flocking to Sydney Olympic Park for the annual Sydney Royal Easter Show were met with unexpected frustration on Thursday, as the digital “Fun Pass” app used for ride access stopped working.

A post on a Sydney Reddit thread warned parents and visitors the ‘Fun Pass’ app was down at the Easter Show and “may not get working again”.

“Anyone with added money to the app is unable to use it. Thousands of kids are unable to get on the rides,” the post read.

“Don’t add money to the app but give them cash and you can buy a physical card at the show.”

The Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) - the organiser of the Royal Easter Show - said they were aware of the issue and were working to fix it “as quickly as possible”.

In an updated statement on Thursday night, a spokeswoman said the problems had been resolved.

“The RAS sincerely apologises to patrons who experienced difficulties with the Fun Pass and its accompanying app on the opening day of the Show.

“Engineers have now fixed what was a software and hardware issue, rolling the fix out across the Fun Pass app, the top-up booths at the Show, and the almost 400 scanners held by ride operators.

“The RAS appreciates the patience shown by showgoers as it worked through this issue as quickly as possible.

“Any showgoers who wish to receive a refund for unused Fun Pass credits can do so via the Fun Pass app, at the conclusion of the Show.”

Frustrated attendees described long waits as a result.

“Fix your app, absolutely ridiculous. The line for ride tickets is hours long,” one visitor posted.

The Easter Show, one of Australia’s most iconic events, draws more than 850,000 visitors annually.

It offers 12 hours of family-friendly entertainment, including farm animals, rides, showbags, live performances, and diverse food experiences, bringing a slice of the country to the city.

A number of new rides and activities have been added this year, with budget-friendly options available for families mindful of cost-of-living pressures.

The event runs from Thursday, April 2 until Monday, April 13, with gates opening at 8.30am daily and most pavilions opening from about 9am.

Each night will end with a fireworks display at 8.50pm.