Bundaberg council will take on feedback from general admission ticket holders

Bundaberg Regional Council has responded to footy fans who condemned general admission tickets for an NRL game in Bundaberg after they were unable to see the on-field action. Read the latest:

Corporate grandstands, VIP seats and endless alcoholic beverages were all part of the fun for thousands of footy fans at Salter Oval on Sunday, but others were left utterly disappointed.

General admission ticket holders who turned out to the first contracted home match for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Bundaberg on August 7, 2022, said they were forced to stand and unable to see the game being played.

Facebook user Jessica Grant posted to the Bundaberg Classifieds page, calling the event “unorganised”.

“[To] the ticket sellers of the Bundaberg Cowboys vs Bulldogs game. The audacity! $30 for a general admission ticket to wait 20 minutes for drink tickets. 15 minutes for a drink. Only to watch the back of people’s heads. Where do you get off? We are outraged! Never have I been to such an unorganised event. Why be so greedy and not organise mobile grandstands knowing the GA area was completely flat. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Highway robbery.”

Jessica Grant was "outraged" when she paid $60 for tickets but had to look at the "back of people's heads".

Facebook users Amy Lam and Sharon Jane said they agreed with Ms Grant’s comments.

Cindy Carey posted similar feedback on the Bundaberg Forum No Rules group.

“What do you reckon? They sold general admission tickets to most of Bundaberg? Don’t recommend watching the football in this town. Waste of money.”

“We gave up trying to find somewhere to see. Spent $60 to drive home.”

User Mark Singh said a former NRL player addressed the crowd with a controversial comment.

“Willie Mason said on mic that if Bundaberg are serious about bringing more nrl games and other events here that they need to upgrade facilities and the stadium itself,” he said.

Cindy Carey said she spent $60 on match day tickets to drive home.

Jamie Partridge was more optimistic about the event, saying it was good to have such a big game in a regional town.

“We (are) a small town to Brisbane what do you all expect move there if you want that sort of action it is a good day to bring bundy as a destination ..good to see good Money spent in local community,” he posted.

Bundaberg Regional Councils' dedicated landing page for the much-anticipated Bulldogs v Cowboys match stated GA tickets would be standing room only.

Jamie Partridge said the event was good for Bundaberg.

Jamie Partridge said the event was good for Bundaberg.

“General admission tickets to the match are not seated and are standing room only, no chairs, no tables, no eskies, no umbrellas to be brought into the event,” the frequently asked questions page read.

A Bundaberg council spokesperson said they sold standing tickets to make sure more of the community could take part.

“We were proud to deliver this event in conjunction with the Bulldogs and other partners,” the spokesperson said.

“It was the region’s first NRL game played for premiership points and we were keen to maximise the number of people who could share in this historic event.

“The organising committee will take on the feedback provided as we work towards improving and building this event into the future.”