October 31 – Thousands of fans heading to the World Cup risk having their tickets annulled because of the volume being sold on unauthorised websites, cybersecurity experts have warned.
Four of the most popular ticket platforms – StubHub, Viagogo, Ticombo and Sports Events 365 – have reportedly been selling tickets despite FIFA banning unauthorised sales.
“Tickets obtained from any source that is not expressly authorised by FIFA are not valid and will not be accepted,” FIFA says.
But researchers for NordVPN claim ticketing platforms have been selling tickets for all group games and the knockout stages of the tournament at inflated prices.
Sports Events 365, Ticombo and viagogo have responded by insisting they are operating completely legitimately and within the relevant consumer protection laws by allowing the transactions on their sites.
But Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at virtual private network NordVPN, told Metro: “Despite FIFA banning unauthorised sites from selling World Cup tickets, we were soon able to find thousands for sale on US secondary ticketing platforms. Football fans may be tempted to buy through well-known resale sites, but they’re taking a big risk.
“Not only will they likely have to pay massively inflated prices but they could also have their ticket cancelled without notice. It’s a long way to travel to see your World Cup dream, and ticket, end in tatters.”
FIFA initially gave fans the chance to sell their tickets on its official resale platform between August 2 and 16 and this month gave them another window to resell their tickets closer to the start of the tournament. However thousands of the 1.2 million fans expected in Qatar are reported to have tried to cash in on other platforms.
Some of the hottest tickets in demand include England’s three group games against Iran, USA and Wales. A ticket for England’s opening group game against Iran on November 21 in Category 3, the cheapest tier for overseas fans, was being listed on Stubhub for $10,217 – more than 140 times its face value.
A FIFA spokesperson was quoted as saying: ‘FIFA regards the illicit sale and distribution of tickets as a serious issue and views the security implications of the unauthorised transfer and/or resale of tickets as being of paramount importance. Therefore, in the past years FIFA has taken legal action against viagogo and other platforms.
“As a matter of fact, as a consequence of FIFA’s action, the Qatari authorities have blocked viagogo, which means that the platform is not accessible from Qatar IP addresses. FIFA’s ultimate objective in the fight against the secondary ticket market is to prioritise the safety and security of fans and enforce a fair FIFA World Cup ticketing pricing scheme.
“FIFA reminds all fans that FIFA.com/tickets is the only official and legitimate website on which to buy FIFA World Cup 2022 tickets.
:Tickets purchased via unauthorised distribution channels may be cancelled once identified. FIFA reserves the right to refuse entry to the stadium to any holder of such tickets. During the FIFA World Cup 2022, FIFA and local authorities will conduct admission checks.”
But Sefi Donner, chief executive officer of Sports Events 365, told Metro: “Sports Events 365 markets tickets to sports events in more than 60 countries, using a search engine that allows the visitor to search for events according to his/her travel destination.
“We do our best to offer the most competitive prices for each match [better than those found by the researchers]. According to the legal advice we received, there is no law prohibiting the sale of World Cup tickets in the UK.”
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