Swiss-based site offers $3200 Lions double-pass

A controversial website based in Switzerland is offering tickets for all three of the All Blacks v British and Irish Lions tests at nearly four times their face value.

Despite the fact that all three tests have long sold out according to New Zealand Rugby, the viagogo ticket website has a pair of category A tickets for the highly anticipated first test at Auckland’s Eden Park on June 24 listed at $3220.69 (not including booking fee and value added tax).

The official price for a pair of category A tickets was $898, however demand far exceeded supply, with 150,000 entries going into a ballot system for the three tests; the second is at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on July 1 and the third back at Eden Park on July 8.

In fact, the website is offering tickets for all 10 Lions’ matches in New Zealand, despite the sold-out signs going up on not only the three tests, but also the match against the Crusaders in Christchurch on June 10, which has also officially reached fullhouse status.

Officially, there are only limited tickets available for the first match against the Provincial New Zealand Barbarians in Whangarei on June 3, the New Zealand Maori in Rotorua on June 17, and the Chiefs in Hamilton on June 20.

The viagogo website, founded in London in 2006 and which now has its headquarters in Geneva, is not illegal, but it has been criticised for its inflating of ticket prices and other activities.

A consumer affairs magazine this month lodged a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission over viagogo’s tactics, especially its claims that it is an official seller and that it offers consumer protection.

Choice Magazine spokesman Tom Godfrey told the ABC that both claims were questionable at best.

New Zealand Rugby has cautioned people from purchasing tickets from unofficial sources.

Viagogo has been approached by the Herald for comment.