The Kai Tak Sports Park is set to officially open next Saturday (March 1), but ticket demand has far exceeded supply. Despite implementing a real-name ticketing system—requiring purchasers to provide their English name and present identification when collecting tickets—scalpers began appearing online yesterday (Feb. 21).
Posts offering tickets for sale or requesting tickets have flooded online trading platforms, with some tickets being resold for several hundred Hong Kong dollars, and the highest asking price reaching HK$1,800.
In response, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law, urged the public today (Feb. 22) to be cautious and avoid falling victim to scams. She confirmed that authorities have contacted the police to investigate the scalping situation and are planning enforcement actions, though no further details were disclosed.
Speaking on a radio program, Law emphasized that selling tickets at prices higher than their original value constitutes scalping. She acknowledged public concerns and assured that the authorities are taking the issue seriously. She also clarified that electronic vouchers issued for ticket collection cannot currently be exchanged for physical tickets, and the government is working on enforcement details. Law reminded the public that purchasing tickets at inflated prices only fuels the scalping market. She also noted that sharing tickets with family members intending to attend the event is allowed.
Reports indicate that some scalpers are selling tickets at HK$1,800 each or offering two tickets for HK$3,500, requiring buyers to pay a HK$500 deposit upfront and settle the remaining balance during in-person exchanges. When questioned about guarantees, scalpers claim to provide email confirmation as proof of ticket ownership. However, past scam cases show that fraudsters often pretend to have tickets but only aim to collect deposits, and email records may not offer buyer protection.
Another scalper claimed to offer two transaction methods: meeting buyers to exchange tickets after collecting them or accompanying buyers to the venue on the opening day for ticket collection and payment. However, they did not guarantee the buyer's entry into the event. This means that even with tickets in hand, there is no certainty they can be used.
Additionally, some individuals sought third-party "ticket agents" before the official ticket sale, providing personal details such as their name, email address, and phone number. While some agents promised a "no success, no fee" policy, others required an upfront deposit. Sharing personal information with unknown parties, however, poses significant risks of data breaches and long-term consequences.
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