Ireland rugby fans have been urged to exercise extreme caution amid a rise in reports of fraudulent ticket sales for the Nations Championship and Six Nations, according to RTÉ.ie.
Ahead of upcoming fixtures against Argentina, Fiji, and South Africa, alongside Six Nations clashes with England and France, the Irish Rugby Football Union noted a “significant increase” in bogus ticket transactions. Unauthorised websites and social media advertisements are driving the spike in scam purchases.
IRFU Warns Fans to Buy Tickets Exclusively Through Authorised Platforms
The IRFU stated that the only authorised sources for tickets are Ticketmaster and the Irish Rugby Account Manager platform. Supporters who purchase tickets through unauthorised websites and ads often realize they have been scammed only after receiving confirmation emails that omit essential details such as specific seating allocations and entry routes.
We are seeing an increase in reports from supporters who have unknowingly purchased fraudulent digital tickets through websites and social media advertisements that appear legitimate at first glance,
said IRFU director of communications Aoife Clarke. Unfortunately, these sites can be highly convincing and often appear prominently through online advertising and social media channels.
Any passes secured via unofficial vendors will be rejected, and the IRFU stressed that spectators holding such items will be refused admission to Aviva Stadium. Fans who suspect they hold fraudulent tickets have been strongly advised by the union not to travel to Aviva Stadium on match day in the expectation of gaining entry.
Steps for Victims and Ongoing Enforcement
If supporters suspect they have been targeted by ticket scams, the union advises reaching out to their card issuer or financial institution straight away to investigate potential chargeback or dispute procedures. The IRFU also urged individuals to report the incident to An Garda Síochána.
The IRFU is working with An Garda Síochána and other relevant authorities to have unauthorised sellers’ websites and advertisements removed. Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to ticket fraud should contact their bank as soon as possible and seek advice on recovering any funds paid,
Clarke added.
Fans can follow live coverage of upcoming fixtures, including Ireland against Argentina, via live blogs on RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News app, alongside live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1’s Sport Extra and the RTÉ Rugby podcast available across major audio platforms.
