AFL fans furious over Ticketek finals blunder

Online ticket sales for the AFL finals series have been suspended by Ticketek.

AFL finals tickets.

AFL fans are frustrated they can't buy finals tickets from Ticketek. Source: AAP

Ticketek has failed AFL fans, shutting down online sales for the finals series as it struggles to meet demand.

Richmond, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney and GWS fans vented abuse on Tuesday after logging on to the Ticketek website to buy tickets, only to be met with delays and misinformation.

The member access window opened at 9am, with sales to the general public to begin at 2pm.
While some fans were able to purchase tickets, thousands more were stuck on hold, watching non-refreshing websites throughout the day due to the failure of Ticketek's online systems.

The result is an anxious wait for many fans to know whether they'll be able to attend the games.

"You have taken my money yet I have no ticket confirmation," one Twitter user wrote.

Hundreds joined in on the social media website with messages including "So disappointed", "What a shambles" and declaring the failure "a debacle".
The farce comes just four weeks after the MCG renewed its contract with Ticketek despite a history of bumbling high-demand events.

AFL clubs have communicated with members to apologise for the blunder, writing that tickets will go back on sale after the problems have been rectified.

As of lunchtime on Tuesday, the Ticketek website was presenting with a looping message to not refresh the page.

Delays for many users stretched past one hour.

AFL Fans Assocation president Gerry Eeman slammed the system.

"Unfortunately, this is an annual problem that is almost becoming part of the finals experience. The frustration of fans is palpable," he said in a statement.

The drama did not affect the second qualifying final between West Coast and Collingwood at Perth's Optus Stadium, which has an agreement with rival company Ticketmaster.

The 2018 finals commence when Richmond face Hawthorn next Thursday night at the MCG, with a crowd in excess of 80,000 expected despite the mid-week scheduling.

Comment has been sought from Ticketek.


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