Your World Cup ticket may be dear, and worthless

Robert goes about his business. Photo / Doug Sherring

When authorities said there would be money spin-offs from the Rugby World Cup, they certainly weren't talking about scalpers selling match tickets for more than twice their face value.

But the Herald on Sunday discovered an Argentinian called Robert touting tickets for all the major games. Near Eden Park, he tried to offload two tickets for last night's match for $200 a pop when they were worth just $97.

The newspaper contacted him after spotting his number on a flyer in a central Auckland bar. With his face painted in the blue and white of his team, Robert said he'd entered the ticket draw numerous times and was now selling the excess.

"I entered the draw to apply for the tickets six months ago. I want to follow my team, not make money."

He had 31 tickets for 11 pool matches, as well as tickets to the quarters, semis and four for the final.

"I make some profit sometimes, but I'm not doing it to make money," he said.

He also said he'd given some tickets to friends and family so he needed to make a profit to cover his costs.

Rugby World Cup communications manager Mike Jaspers said scalping was an offence under the Major Events Management Act.

By law, selling a ticket for more than its original sales price carries a fine of up to $5000. Fans who buy unauthorised tickets run the risk of having those tickets cancelled.