Footy fans heading to Anzac Day clash warned about ticket scalpers
Footy fans hoping to get through the gates to watch the Anzac Day blockbuster at the MCG have been issued a serious warning amid a concerning trend.
Victoria
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Footy fans have been urged to beware scalpers selling tickets to the MCG Anzac Day blockbuster after a spate of recent rip offs.
Monday’s Essendon-Collingwood showdown will be the first AFL match subject to beefed up Victorian anti-scalper laws with fines of up to $109,044 for individuals and $545,220 for companies.
With a crowd of about 90,000 expected at the match, the state government has warned fans to beware dodgy ticket sellers.
It comes after 145 tickets to this month’s record Melbourne Grand Prix were cancelled because secondary sellers were trying to cash in on fans desperate to be trackside.
Among tickets removed from public sale were grandstand seats to Sunday’s race with a face value of $532 being sold for up to $2000 each online by scalpers.
Two Sunday general admission “park pass’’ tickets with a face value of $202 were cancelled after being advertised for $2000 each.
And a four day “park pass’’ worth $189 was confiscated after being peddled for $300.
Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula said scalpers were on notice but fans should be careful about where they buy tickets.
“We’re cracking down on dodgy operators who try to rip off fans trying to buy tickets to the sports and bands they love,’’ he said.
“Melbourne is Australia’s sports and major events capital and that’s why we these new laws are so important to keep events accessible for everyone.”
Under the Major Events Legislation Act, tickets to declared major events cannot be resold or advertised for resale for more than 10percent above face value.
Amendments to the Act taking affect this month make it illegal to sell Anzac Day and AFL finals tickets plus a hospitality package, experiences or merchandise for a beefed up price.
It is now also an offence to advertise or sell a ticket package to a declared event such as the
Dons-Pies clash, musical Hamilton and the Grand Prix without the written authorisation of the event organiser.
And ticket resale advertisements must now list the face value of the ticket, seating details and intended sale price.
MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said the Anzac Day match and Anzac Eve clash between Richmond and Melbourne were “special occasions on the footy calendar and for the MCG.’’ “We’re excited to welcome big crowds back to the beating heart of Melbourne,’’ he said.
A record four day crowd of 419,114 attended this month’s Grand Prix, with Saturday and Sunday of the event sold out for the first time.
Other “declared events’’ include the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and Australian Open tennis.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets through an authorised seller by checking websites carefully.
Originally published as Footy fans heading to Anzac Day clash warned about ticket scalpers
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