Hong Kong Police arrest ticket scalpers outside of Coldplay’s concerts at Kai Tak Stadium

Five people have reportedly been arrested for alleged ticket scalping outside of Hong Kong’s new Kai Tak Stadium ahead of a concert from British band Coldplay on Tuesday.

As covered by the Hong Kong Free Press, three men and two women were arrested on suspicion of breaching conditions of stay and were detained for further investigation.

Coldplay’s Tuesday concert, was the first of four being staged at the 50,000-seat venue as part of their ‘Music of the Spheres’ world tour, with others being held on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Seated tickets for the sold-out concert were officially priced between HK$399 (US$51) and HK$2,099 (US$270), while standing tickets cost HK$1,399 (US$180).

Hong Kong Police also issued a summons to another man surnamed Lee over suspected ticket scalping on Tuesday, after he attempted to sell tickets for an amount higher than the official price to officers masquerading as fans outside the stadium before the concert began at 8pm.

Ticket scalping is an offence that could attract a fine of up to HK$2,000 (US$256).

According to some reports, scalpers had touted tickets HK$1,000 (US$128) higher than the official price on Tuesday night, according to local media reports.

During the show, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin told the audience that there would be no fireworks - often set off at the end of Coldplay concerts - because the stadium’s retractable roof was closed.

Images: Coldplay at Kai Tak Stadium. Credit: Kai Tak Stadium.