18 Oct 2010

RWC organisers alert to likely ticket scams

8:31 pm on 18 October 2010

Organisers of next year's Rugby World Cup are confident they can stop adults trying to get into games on children's tickets.

This follows the Wellington Phoenix Football Club saying it is aware of such a scam occuring at some of its matches, at the capital's Westpac Stadium.

One and a half million tickets are expected to be sold for next year's tournament in New Zealand and children's ticket prices are as low as $15.

The Rugby New Zealand 2011 general manager of marketing and communications, Shane Harmon, says it has prepared for ticket scam problems.

He says ushers will be checking all tickets and any adult trying to get in on a children's ticket will be turned away.

Scheme in place this summer

New Zealand Cricket says it's working with Ticketek on a system to ensure that when a child's ticket is scanned a different colour will appear, alerting gate staff to check the holder.

New Zealand Cricket's commercial manager, Peter Dwan, says the Phoenix situation prompted their system change, which will be in place this summer.

The Yellow Fever Phoenix support club says it has known for some time that adults are getting in using children's tickets, without being checked at the gate, and the club's future is being jeopardised by such scams.

A Radio New Zealand reporter got into Sunday night's game on a child's ticket.

The Phoenix club is reported to have posted about a loss of $1 million last year.

Acting chief executive Nathan Greenham says the club is aware of the scam. While he does not believe it is a big problem, it needs to be dealt with.

Mr Greenham says Westpac Stadium is responsible for checking tickets at the gates.

The stadium would not comment on Sunday night.