Ticket Scalping Hits State of Origin Fans
- Juan Carlos Fanconi
- Nov 22, 2024
- 2 min read
Jack Taylor said his tickets had been cancelled when they tried to scan them at the gate. (ABC News)
2,000 Fans Locked Out of State of Origin Finale Due to Scalped Tickets
As many as 2,000 footy fans were denied entry to the State of Origin decider in Brisbane on Wednesday night after purchasing tickets from unauthorized sellers.
Lang Park general manager Alan Graham explained that scalped tickets are typically not permitted, but some fans with unsold seats were eventually allowed entry. Others were turned away because their seats had been sold multiple times. Graham noted this is a recurring issue for large events, where people discover their scalped tickets are invalid.
John Gomeasall, one of the affected fans, bought his ticket online from The Ticket Merchant two months ago but was unable to enter. Similarly, Jack Taylor and his friends, who purchased tickets via Viagogo, found their tickets canceled upon scanning. Taylor described the experience as "a kick in the guts," especially after traveling a long way for the game.
A spokesperson for The Ticket Merchant said the company worked to provide replacement tickets for affected customers and urged venues and ticketing agencies to communicate issues earlier. Viagogo has yet to comment.
Graham revealed that up to 2,000 tickets were scalped for the event, calling it a significant problem in the industry. He urged fans to purchase only from legitimate ticket agents. Another fan, Ash, paid $5,000 for 10 tickets from a site that falsely promised authenticity, describing it as the "biggest rort ever."
Attorney General Yvette D’Ath reminded fans that reselling tickets for more than 10% above their original price at Stadiums Queensland venues is illegal. Reselling tickets to multiple buyers is also a criminal offense. She encouraged victims of scams to report cases to the police or the Office of Fair Trading.
Authorities and event organizers continue to warn against purchasing tickets from unauthorized resellers to avoid similar issues in the future.
Source: abc.net.au