Scalpers served in move against Australian Open ticket touts
SCALPERS and ticket rip-off merchants have been given a backhand by Australian Open tennis bosses with the introduction of tough new laws at Melbourne’s Grand Slam.
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EVERY ticket to the Australian Open will become scalper-proof in the biggest move against touts in Aussie sport.
Each seat at Melbourne’s Grand Slam will be added to new Victorian “declared’’ event legislation, making it illegal for anyone to sell or advertise tickets for more than 10 per cent above face value.
It means everything from ground passes to courtside seats will be off-limits to scalpers and secondary sellers who have previously jacked up the price to popular matches at the January event.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said Tennis Australia wanted to backhand scalpers in the interest of fans.
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“We pride ourselves on being the most fan-friendly event in Melbourne,’’ he said.
“And by declaring every match of the tournament, genuine tennis fans will be able to fairly access tickets from ground passes to in-stadium seats next January.’’
Tennis becomes the second sport to adopt the new laws after the AFL added Victorian finals and the Essendon-Collingwood Anzac Day clash to a list previously only including the Grand Final.
But — unlike many high-demand AFL games during the regular season — the legislation will apply to every match at Melbourne Park during the Open.
Tennis Australia, which had been expected to seek anti-scalper status for key matches such as men’s and women’s finals, wrote to the State Government more than a month ago calling for a blanket ban.
“Every year, disappointed fans miss out on experiencing the Australian Open due to unauthorised tickets,’’ Mr Tiley said.
The move follows a four-and-a-half year Herald Sun campaign for action.
Secondary sites this year sold $495 tickets to the Australian Open men’s final for up to $2856 and advertised Category One seats worth $795 for up to $8899 plus fees. Anyone caught selling tickets to events declared by the government above the 10 per cent threshold can be fined up to $475,000 under the laws.
Sports Minister John Eren said: “By protecting the Australian Open from ticket scalpers, we’re ensuring more tennis fans have the opportunity to enjoy world-class major sporting events.’’
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