Soccer: Ticket scam hits Phoenix

The Phoenix has a loyal fanbase of youngsters, but some adults have been scamming the system and trying to pass themselves off as kids. Photo / CityLife North

The Wellington Phoenix Football Club has been hit by a ticket scam where adults are getting into the A-League club's home games using children's tickets.

While other stadiums have security staff at the gates ripping the stubs from tickets, attendees passing through the turnstiles of Westpac Stadium scan their tickets themselves to gain entry.

However, some adult patrons are using children's tickets to get through the turnstiles. An adult ticket to the silver zone, for example, is $28, while student tickets are $18.50 and child (5-16 years) tickets are $12.50.

Mike Greene, from supporters' club Yellow Fever, said it was hard to know how prevalent the ticket scam was.

"I'd say anyone who did it was hurting the club and was not a very good fan. I'd suggest fans purchase a season ticket as it shows loyalty to the club and saves a lot on the gate price," Mr Greene said.

However, on the flipside was Mr Greene's desire to have as many people attend the games each week as possible.

"In actual truth I prefer the cheapskates came on a kid's ticket than not at all."

The fan club's director, Guy Smith, told Radio New Zealand the scam could have dire effects on the team.

"I guess the risk is that at a time when the Phoenix need to start turning profit, people are going to do them out of money and that could have a flow-on effect for the long term viability of the Phoenix. And a tragedy it would be if we lost them."

The team lost an estimated $1 million last year.

But Wellington Phoenix spokesman John Mitchell said the ticketing scam was "not a big problem".

"We've heard reports of it," Mr Mitchell said. "But it certainly is not a major issue.

"We've had discussions with Westpac Stadium. It's up to them to see what action should be taken.

"It is not something we are overly concerned about."

Mr Mitchell said the financial viability of the club was not at risk, and the ticket scam was a "societal issue".

"What I will say from the club's perspective is 99.9 per cent of the fans are honest and love to support the team and that's the way it should be.

"People who want to cheat are going to cheat the system ... we find those people unscrupulous."

A poll on the Yellow Fever forum showed most members were against the practice, with 35 having never done it and only three admitting to having made the most of the stadium's electronic system.

"Any adult who is buying kids' tickets to get into a game is ripping the club off. It wouldn't matter what sport it is, it's still cheating," forum commenter Ard Righ wrote. "The Phoenix rely on ticket sales for home games to avoid having huge losses for the club each year."

Goldienz echoed the sentiments of many who said going to 'Nix games was not that expensive anyway.

"I can't believe someone would be that rank to steal from the club like that, cause that's what it is ... theft."

Buffon II described the scam as "very sad". "What happened to being honest Kiwis?"

Whooooooo, however, had used a child's ticket to attend a match.

"You lot who are complaining, would you rather have these guys not come to games at all?" he wrote.

The Phoenix's next home game is against Brisbane Roar on November 3.