Green Day has changed a controversial new ticketing scheme for their upcoming gig in New York following criticism from fans and industry experts.

The band scrapped a series of shows in January and February after frontman Billie Joe Armstrong checked into rehab to address substance abuse issues, but the tour has now been rescheduled for the spring.

However, plans to introduce a new ticketing scheme for the group's show at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on April 7 caused a furore among fans.

Anyone who bought a coveted floor seat was told they could only collect the tickets in person from the box office on the day of the show, prompting fears that many fans who found themselves unable to attend would be left out of pocket.

The move was reportedly made to cut down on scalping, but the band has now eased the restrictions so tickets can be picked up in advance.

Chris Grimm, of the Fan Freedom Project, tells the New York Post, "We believe we (fans) own the tickets... and that fans have the right to give away or transfer tickets however they choose. No fan should ever face the prospect of losing money when plans change because of work or family obligations."

Green Day's publicist, Brian Bumbery, insists the rules have now been changed: "There is no paperless ticketing or forced 'will call' at the Barclay Center (sic) show. It may have been when the tickets were initially put on sale in September 2012... (but) this has been reversed."