Ticketmaster’s plan to keep Springbok ticket sales fair

South African rugby fans hoping to buy tickets for the Springboks test match against New Zealand in Cape Town this September will have to register for Ticketmaster’s ticket ballot.

The company says it is implementing the strategy to ensure a fair process and reduce secondary sales (scalping), ticket fraud, and counterfeited tickets.

It says its proprietary enterprise ticketing technology is behind the ballot process, adding that it is used by many sports teams, unions, leagues, and venues globally.

“A ticket ballot is used by many sporting bodies across the world and is the fairest way of giving people a chance to purchase tickets,” Ticketmaster told MyBroadband.

“This system will also reduce the number of frustrated customers stuck in the queue for what will be a high-demand event.”

The public can register their interest in buying tickets between 27 May and 9 June 2024. However, it notes that while registration grants an entry into the ballot, it doesn’t automatically secure tickets.

Instead, those who registered will earn a place in the draw.

“Successful applicants randomly selected from the draw will be invited to purchase up to four tickets per customer on a first-come, first-served basis,” says Ticketmaster.

“All registrations are treated equally, so it does not matter when in the registration window you complete the process, but only one registration per customer will go into the draw.”

Successful candidates will receive an email by 17 June with a unique, secured link and password to buy tickets when sales open on 19 June.

The registration link will be posted on Ticketmaster’s, The Stormers’, and WP Rugby’s websites and on Ticketmaster’s social media pages.

“Only tickets purchased from Ticketmaster will be valid for entry to the match,” says Ticketmaster.

It also advised fans against buying tickets from platforms like Viagogo.

“These tickets are unlawfully resold multiple times on face value and are not legitimate tickets,” it said.

“Should you purchase these tickets, you may be denied entry into the venue, and you will not be entitled to a refund.”

Only digital tickets will be available through Ticketmaster. These are encrypted and linked to individual Ticketmaster accounts.

It says this will greatly reduce the risk of ticket fraud from stolen or counterfeited tickets.

The game will kick off at DHL Stadium in Cape Town. 2023/24 season ticket holders will automatically be issued new digital tickets. They don’t need to register their interest.

“No further payment is required and the current physical season ticket cards will not be in use for this match,” says Ticketmaster.

“Season ticket holders will be contacted directly with clear instructions about the process for securing tickets to this match.”

The match will be South Africa’s fourth in the 2024 Rugby Championship and second in the series against the All Blacks.

New Zealand is looking to defend its title in this year’s Rugby Championship, having won the short-form version of the tournament in 2023.

The Springboks placed second, with Argentina third and Australia last.