FOOTY FANS TICKED OFF
SYSTEM IN MELTDOWN ... AGAIN
GEELONG fans desperate to secure seats for the first AFL final have been caught up in nationwide ticket sale chaos.
A line of football supporters snaking more than 50m formed across the foyer of GPAC from 9am yesterday, with most leaving emptyhanded.
In what seems an annual event, Ticketek’s system struggled to cope as thousands of fans logged on to secure a seat to the four games.
Ten minutes after the site went live to club members, Cats fans were told by Ticketek outlet staff that the system had crashed.
Hamlyn Heights residents Joe and Maria Winiecki were waiting at the GPAC Ticketek outlet for several hours after arriving at 8.30am. “This hap- pens every year,” Mr Winiecki said. “I don’t know why they would put all the games on sale at once. They’ve got the time, stagger them out. The AFL really need to think about it.”
Would-be purchasers reported the site continued to shift between slow and offline for several hours before a decision was made by Ticketek to temporarily suspended online sales while it tried to fix technical glitches with its system.
Public ticket sales, originally set to go live at 2pm yesterday, were delayed until members can buy seats. Melbourne Cricket Club members were able to secure their seats.
“We stood here for nothing,” Ms Winiecki said. “People online get halfway through paying and aren’t sure if the transaction has gone through.”
AFL Fans Association president Gerry Eeman said the bungle caused some club members to think their game was sold out when it wasn’t.
“Unfortunately, this is an annual problem that is almost becoming part of the finals experience. The frustration of fans is palpable. If the Ticketek system can’t handle the traffic, consideration must be given to staggering when tickets go on sale for each game,” he said.
Rubbing salt into the wounds of Ticketek customers, Collingwood and Western Australian footy fans enjoyed a stress-free ride getting their tickets from rival agency, Ticketmaster.
The AFL said it was “extremely disappointed” in the experience a large number of club members were presented with when trying to purchase their tickets.
“We share in our club members’ frustration and are working with the venues (MCG and SCG) and their provider (Ticketek) for a full explanation,” the AFL said.
The schedule for a new, staggered release of ticket sales has since been provided.
Club members will be able to buy tickets for Geelong’s clash with Melbourne from 1pm today. AFL members will be granted access to the same game from 9am tomorrow and the general public can try their luck from 2.30pm tomorrow.
Footy fans will have $7.20 transaction fees scrapped for week one of the AFL finals after the ticketing debacle.
Ticketek Australia chief executive Geoff Jones said the company regretted the inconvenience caused to fans.