Rwc 2015 Fans Warned Against Touts

Ahead of the opening of general ticket sales on Friday, organisers of next year’s Rugby World Cup in England have warned fans against buying tickets other than through official channels.

This follows reports suggesting that criminal gangs could buy tickets and sell them on at inflated prices.

The ticket agency Ticketmaster has introduced measures to combat touts, who will could reportedly use sophisticated software to flood its website with ticket applications for high-demand games.

England 2015, organisers of the competition, failed to persuade the government to make touting of Rugby World Cup tickets illegal but explained that fans may be refused entry to games if tickets are not bought through correct processes.

Joanna Manning-Cooper, communications director at England Rugby 2015, told BBC Sport: ‘Our ticketing terms and conditions are strict. We reserve the right to refuse entry if tickets have not been purchased through official channels.’

‘We are doing everything we can to make sure tickets get into the hands of fans who want to come to the tournament, and not to touts who simply want to sell them on at a profit.’

2.3 million tickets will be available in total, with up to one million tickets going on general sale this week.

Organisers launched a new campaign, ‘Too Big To Miss’, last week – describing the size, scale and stature of Rugby World Cup 2015. Watch the video at Sport Industry TV.

To mark tickets going on sale, England Rugby 2015 will also stage a world record attempt at Twickenham Stadium to create the world’s largest scrum. 

Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday, with the World Cup kicking off on 18th September next year when England face Fiji at Twickenham.

Prices for adults start at £15 for low-profile games but rise to as much as £715 for the best seats at the final at Twickenham on 31st October.