All events in Aviva Stadium to be designated under Fine Gael anti-ticket tout legislation – Ahearn

As of tomorrow 28 October, the sale of tickets for all events in the Aviva stadium will be protected under anti-ticket tout legislation, prohibiting the resale of tickets above face value, the Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Enterprise and Trade has said.

Senator Garret Ahearn said the Aviva Stadium applied for venue designation and a letter was issued today designating the venue with effect from tomorrow, meaning that all matches and events which take place in the Aviva will be protected under the Fine Gael anti-ticket tout legislation, including the upcoming Ireland v Portugal match on 11 November and the Ireland v New Zealand rugby match on 13 November.

Senator Ahearn said, “Earlier this week, I raised the fact that fans were being fleeced for the upcoming Ireland v Portugal game in the Aviva with tickets going for hundreds of euro on Viagogo, due to the fact that the event organisers had not applied for event designation under the anti-ticket tout legislation.

“Tickets for the Ireland v New Zealand rugby match, also in the Aviva, go on sale tomorrow, and due to the likely popularity of the game, I called on the IRFU this morning to ensure they apply for the event to be designated under the anti-tout legislation before tickets went on sale.

“I’m delighted to see that the Aviva Stadium, with agreement from both the IRFU and the FAI, applied for, and has been granted, designation with effect from tomorrow. All future events in the Aviva now have blanket cover under the legislation.

“All fans attending matches and events in the Aviva from tomorrow onwards can be safe in the knowledge that the necessary legislation is in place to protect them from price gouging. As one of the largest venues in the country, today’s announcement ensures that thousands of supporters will never have to face extortionate prices when hoping to attend a concert, match, or live event in the Aviva again.

“An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar this week commented that under the legislation, it is up to the event organisers and venues themselves to apply for designation. We have made it as easy as possible to apply and the process is free of charge. This afternoon’s confirmation of the Aviva’s application and designation proves the legislation is functioning properly and protecting consumers.

“This is a big win for sports and music fans across the country,” Senator Ahearn concluded.