• Fans hoping to still buy tickets to UFC event urged to be vigilant to scams
• Tickets sold in violation of ticket scalping laws could be cancelled and entry refused  
• Some ads re-selling tickets illegally have already been taken down

Fans who are desperate to attend the sold out Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC 284) event at Perth’s RAC Arena on Sunday night (12 February 2023) are being cautioned about buying last-minute second-hand tickets online.

Consumer Protection warns that there is a risk that fake tickets might be sold on classified websites, as well as on unauthorised re-selling platforms, in the next few days.

Tickets purchased via unauthorised re-sellers, and those that were purchased at inflated prices in contravention of WA’s ticket scalping laws, have a risk of being cancelled. Holders of these tickets may be refused entry to the event.

Under ticket scalping laws, no more than a ten per cent mark-up from the original price of a ticket is allowed when being re-sold.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake said action has already been taken to protect ticket buyers of this UFC event.

“During our investigation of ticket sales to this event, we have identified numerous advertisements on various platforms that may be in breach of ticket scalping laws by selling at a price greater than the ten per cent mark-up allowed,” Ms Blake said.

“We have been quick to point out these ads to the operators of the platforms and been highly successful in having them removed.

“Four online ticket re-selling platforms have removed the ability for second-hand tickets to this event to be sold on their sites, but there are others that may still be carrying ads for last-minute tickets. So consumers still need to exercise caution when thinking about reacting to these ads and run the risk of buying fake tickets, or a genuine ticket that has been sold multiple times.

“Fans who purchased tickets outside of Ticketek or Ticketek Marketplace, the authorised seller and re-seller of this event, should check with Ticketek that the tickets they have are valid and will be honoured at the gates before attending the UFC event on Sunday.

“Holders of tickets that were purchased at a price more than the allowed ten per cent mark-up should go back to the supplier or individual seller and seek a refund. If a refund request is refused or not forthcoming and payment was made either by PayPal or credit card, consumers can lodge a payment dispute with PayPal or a credit card chargeback with their bank or credit card provider.

“We urge people who have issues with their tickets to lodge a complaint with Consumer Protection so we can determine if either ticket scalping or consumer laws have been breached.”

Recent changes to the Australian Consumer Law now require online ticket resellers to clearly disclose that they are not the primary ticket provider, as well as prominently display the original price of tickets, making it easier to determine if the ticket sale is legal.

More information on ticket scalping is available on the Consumer Protection website. People who see concert or event tickets being sold online at more than ten per cent over their original value, should report it to Consumer Protection by emailing consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au or calling 1300 30 40 54.

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Media Contact: Alan Hynd, (08) 6552 9248 / 0429 078 791 / alan.hynd@dmirs.wa.gov.au