Online ticket touts are making “extortionate” profits on Electric Picnic and the Rugby World Cup.
Desperate fans are handing over huge sums to see their heroes – and last night a TD demanded the Government wages war on the ruthless sellers.
Rugby supporters hoping to make it to next month’s final in Japan were stunned to find Category C tickets for €700 on Viagogo yesterday.
Fine Gael’s Noel Rock told the Irish Mirror: “Genuine fans are being ripped off.”
He has prepared legislation which would ban the resale of tickets for sports and entertainment events at above face-value.
It would also outlaw the use of bot software which lets touts buy more tickets than the number permitted.
Mr Rock believes promoters and event organisers should look to the GAA as an example of how to handle the situation.
He said: “There’s very little activity for the Dublin vs Kerry All-Ireland football final next Sunday because everyone knows the GAA moves like lightning to cancel tickets which are touted.”
Yesterday, weekend tickets with camping for Electric Picnic were being offered on Viagogo at up to €410 each.
That’s €160 above face value for the sold-out festival at Stradbally, Co Laois, which kicks off on Friday.
On the same site, Category B tickets for Ireland’s Rugby World Cup opener against Scotland in Yokohama were on sale at €268.
The official passes for the September 22 match start at a shade over €50.
Describing the prices being charged by touts as “extortionate”, Mr Rock said the gouging of consumers must end.
His Private Members Bill has been languishing in Leinster House for more than a year but he remains hopeful of getting it through.
He said: “Touts are clearly aggressively targeting Irish rugby fans.
“I understand work is still ongoing on amendments to the Bill which was prioritised in the last Dail term.
“This work must be completed without delay.”
