NRL introduces fan-oriented ticket resale service

The NRL has today launched a new ticketing marketplace which will give supporters the chance to buy re-sold tickets at their original price.

Designed for people who legitimately can’t attend the event and want to recoup their ticket costs, Marketplace for Fans, which is being trialled ahead of Holden State of Origin II next Wednesday night at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium, enables patrons and purchasers the opportunity to buy and sell tickets in a secure and guaranteed environment.

If successful next week, the service could be extended for Origin III, NRL finals matches and the grand final - where tickets have previously been illegally shopped for multiple times their true price.

The fan marketplace has been designed as an anti-scalping measure to counter the threat of unauthorised platforms such as eBay, StubHub, Viagogo and Ticketmaster Resale.

With the NRL able to monitor activity and set parameters:

• A customer selling their ticket will only be able to re-sell it for the face value of the ticket - so they cannot make a profit;
• If the ticket does not re-sell, the original purchaser’s ticket remains valid;
• As soon as the ticket sells, the seller will receive a full refund of the face value of their tickets and the original ticket is voided.

An NRL spokesman said fans are encouraged to use the service should they wish to re-sell tickets, rather than unauthorised re-sellers.

The spokesperson advised “this is a secure and trusted site where you can list and buy tickets with other fans.

“The Marketplace for Fans allows us to actively discourage patrons from utilising unauthorised sites, as we have an alternate official option.

“We would always encourage our supporters to use our authorised ticket services in order to ensure they do not go home disappointed.

“The only way to guarantee that you are able to attend your event is to purchase through the official seller or the approved Marketplace.”

More than 80,000 fans are expected to pack ANZ Stadium for Origin II with some fans not holding tickets expected to try their luck outside the ground.

However, the NRL is hoping the instances of discreet scalpers encouraging 11th-hour sales will be reduced as a result of its new initiative.

Ticketek is the official agency for all events at ANZ Stadium, including Holden State of Origin II.

Fans wanting to make us of Marketplace for Fans should go to www.stateoforigin.ticketek.com.au

Images: A State of Origin II ticket currently for sale on Gumtree (top) and NSW Blues fan look forward to Origin II (below).

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