‘I’ve waited for hours’ – fans furious at ticket chaos

Hundreds of people were left furious on Tuesday after queueing for hours in the heat for Asian Games tickets – and then being told there were none left.

Some fans screamed in anger when told many of the events had sold out, in what was just the latest problem surrounding tickets at the Games in Indonesia.

Fans have also lashed out after difficulties booking tickets online. Organizers switched to a new ticketing website last week after the previous site crashed.

On Tuesday, a queue of dozens of meters long formed at a booth at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno stadium. Awang, 67, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, said he had been queuing since 8:00 am.

“I want to buy badminton tickets for me and my wife,” Awang told AFP. “We don’t know whether there are any left... I’ve waited here in the heat for hours.”

One problem is that the booths do not sell advance tickets, meaning that fans have to queue up on the day. Many people were furious when told at midday that their event had sold out.

“There are not just Indonesians here queuing, also foreigners. Don’t embarrass us [Indonesia]. Just open more counters,” one man shouted.

Asian Games tickets can be bought online via e-commerce company Blibli, after organizers switched from KiosTix following a server breakdown. But many tickets were sold out online.