Rock-on time for scalpers

Stacy Shi

Tickets for the highly anticipated world tour of renowned British band Coldplay, scheduled to take place at Kai Tak Sports Park in April, have been scalped several times their original prices.

All priority tickets, including standing tickets priced at HK$1,399, sold out within half an hour yesterday morning.

The presale began at 10am for fans who had registered on Coldplay's official website. However, many eager concert-goers experienced long wait times - up to 30 minutes - just to access the site.

Moreover, those who clicked on the presale link at 10am sharp found all ticket categories, ranging from HK$399 to HK$6,599, marked as "limited" or available only as single seats, leaving many fans disappointed.

After the presale sold out, scalpers swiftly began reselling tickets at significantly inflated prices across various online platforms. On the second-hand trading site Carousell, four HK$1,299 tickets were listed for HK$40,000 - more than seven times their original price.

The vendor initially indicated a willingness to negotiate down to HK$36,000, claiming there were "more offers," but later said only two tickets remained and reduced the price to HK$15,000, or HK$7,500 each.

Another listing had four tickets originally priced at HK$1,299 each offered for a total of HK$12,000, with the seller demanding an initial deposit from prospective buyers. A VIP standing ticket package, which included a HK$1,399 standing ticket and early entry pass originally priced at HK$2,799, was put on the market for HK$6,000. Another saw the ticket nearly double to HK$2,500.

Some scalpers attempted to lure buyers by listing tickets at their original price or even at HK$0, while nudging potential takers to make offers, effectively auctioning the tickets to the highest bidder.

On another scalping platform, Viagogo, four VIP standing tickets were listed at an astounding HK$112,547 each, and a HK$1,300 standing ticket had reportedly been sold for HK$11,498 at around 3pm yesterday.

A number of fans urged ticketing platforms to require buyers to register their real names to combat touting, while others said real-name registration is by itself not enough.

"Scalpers might have employed a considerable number of individuals and even hold FPS accounts registered under other people's names to sell counterfeit tickets [and extort] money," a fan said. "The platforms should at least impose a ban on the resale of tickets."

Coldplay is set to perform at the main stadium of Kai Tak Sports Park on April 9, 11 and 12, marking the band's first performance in Hong Kong since 2009.

Additional tickets will continue to be released in batches over the coming days.

Klook experience packages, which include two concert tickets and a hotel room, will go on sale at 10am today.

Live Nation members can purchase tickets at 11am tomorrow, while general sales will begin on Cityline starting at 10am on Thursday.

Ticket prices range from HK$399 to HK$6,599, with the most expensive package featuring a backstage tour and an onstage photo session before the concert.

Buyers will also need to pay an additional HK$150 as handling fee for each ticket.

The band is offering a limited number of "Infinity" tickets at a remarkably low price of 20 euros (HK$170.58), with randomly allocated seats. These tickets will be available on November 22.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com