Online scalpers cashing in on AFL finals tickets frenzy with fans eager to beat the long queues

The AFL finals will be declared a major event to protect footy fans — despite the Tourism Minister saying the “hype” of scalping doesn’t live up to the reality.

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THE AFL finals will be declared as a major event under tough anti-scalping rules to protect fans — despite the Tourism Minister saying the “hype” of scalping doesn’t live up to the reality.

Scalpers have been cashing in on finals frenzy at the Adelaide Oval, selling tickets online for at least double the purchase price.

Thousands of Crows and Power members on Tuesday snapped up tickets online or at Ticketek agencies, with only 1100 seats left for the Crows match.

But only hours after sales started for club members at 9am, scalpers begun offering tickets on Gumtree or Viagogo at inflated prices.

A $92 ticket in the western stand was going for $270 on the ticket resale site Viagogo for the Crows qualifying final against Great Western Sydney next Thursday night.

A seller on another website was offering $400 for two seats in the eastern stands of the Adelaide Oval for the Crows game — an adult ticket in the same seating area was listed as $92 on Ticketek.

Tourism Minister Leon Bignell confirmed he would make the AFL finals a “major event” — which offers more protection for fans against scalpers.

“We’ll do that today to protect people,” he told ABC Adelaide on Wednesday.

“What we see is that people put up crazy prices on the internet for tickets, it doesn’t mean anyone actually pays those prices.”

“I think people will be all right. The reality just doesn’t match up with hype of it.”

AFL matches and major music concerts, like Adele — which attracted a record crowd of 70,000 — were not declared a “major event”, meaning scalping laws introduced in 2013 had not actually penalised any offenders.

Sandy Schiller of Athelstone will be watching Crows take on Giants at the Adelaide Oval next week. (AAP Image/James Elsby)

Long queues online had also frustrated fans, with some complaining Ticketek should have staggered sales for the four finals next week.

The Cats and Tigers clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was sold out on Tuesday, while 12,900 tickets remained for the Port Adelaide-West Coast final on September 9.

Ticketek managing director Cameron Hoy said a record sale of 85,000 tickets sold in the first hour for all four finals next week.

“As with every major event on sale Ticketek deploys a virtual queue to ensure fair access to tickets. While we understand this can cause frustration and can lead people venting on social media, the experience today for the overwhelming majority of fans has been excellent and we note that many posted positive comments on social media,” he said.

Extra Ticketek employees had been deployed at agencies around the state to help club supporters with purchases for the qualifying and elimination finals.

Hundreds lined up at box offices for hours, some arriving as early as 12.30am for the 9am sales, although some complained of slow queues.

Jon and Leanne Sampson finally got their tickets in City Cross after waiting since about 5am. AAP Image/James Elsby.

Crows fans Jon and Leanne Sampson breathed a sigh of relief when they got their tickets after queuing up since about 5am at the City Cross agency in the CBD.

“It’s very exciting, I was a bit worried when the first person took awhile, but it is always worth the wait,” Mrs Sampson said. Adelaide Football Club chief executive Andrew Fagan had a cheeky “late to work on Friday” response to congratulate fans who succeeded in getting their tickets.

“While I understand this may impact work productivity ... we want every single Crows fan showing their support,” he wrote.