Labour MP Chris Bryant has branded websites reselling World Cup tickets as ‘Parasitical rip-off merchants’. The MP for Rhonda feels the government has failed in its duty, with resale site Viagogo selling two tickets to the group match between England and Wales for £11,500. Similarly, a pair of final tickets from the same website will set you back £21,500.
The original tickets for the England v Wales clash had sold as cheaply as £75. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport says that the websites are completely legal and acting in a completely legal way, however, many see this as exploiting fans who want to see a once in a lifetime rugby phenomenon. Viagogo has said that it is ‘only maintaining public demand’, however, some believe they are dancing on the line between monopolisation and exploitation.
With the Rugby World cup kicking of September 18th, we may yet see even greater rises in the prices of these second-hand tickets.
