Loyal spectators watching the Socceroos face Nepal in 2019. Photo: Photox.
An issue with online ticketing for the upcoming Socceroos game on 26 March has left about 750 local fans with “invalid tickets”.
The date marks the Socceroos’ return to GIO Stadium for the first time since 2019 when they won 5-0 over Nepal in the 2022 World Cup qualification cycle.
They’ll be facing Lebanon this time in another World Cup qualifier match after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ruled Lebanon’s home game would need to be played in “a neutral territory” due to current circumstances in the Middle East.
Canberra’s game follows another in Sydney on 21 March, but fans were hit with ticketing issues when they went online to buy seats.
A post to the Canberra Reddit page by user Luke Plunkett said the Ticketek website began “glitching out” at around 11 am yesterday (5 March).
He alleged “loads of people” were “somehow managing to secure tickets without paying, while others were redirected and by the time they could order, it was practically sold out”.
“Pretty crap considering it’s the first major international here in years!”
The user subsequently received an email from Ticketek stating that the ‘free’ tickets were “not valid for entry to the match.”
“Due to an error, your recent attempt to purchase tickets to the Subway Socceroos v Lebanon game on 26 March at GIO Stadium Canberra was unable to be completed,” the message read.
“As a consequence, your tickets are currently not valid for entry to the match.
“Rest assured, we are working to rectify this. Ticketek’s customer service centre staff will call you over the coming 72 hours to complete your transaction in accordance with our terms and conditions. Our aim is to offer you the same seats that you selected at the time of attempted purchase.”
In a statement, Football Australia said the issue had affected about 750 transactions and promised a “swift resolution”.
“We understand the importance of this matter and are actively working to address the situation,” it read.
“We are committed to providing a swift resolution to this issue and ensuring a seamless experience for all fans attending the match.”
More than 8500 tickets have already been sold to the game, “indicating a strong start and an expected vibrant crowd to support the Socceroos.”
Purchase tickets online.
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