SE Asian Games Ceremonies Sold Out

The top price of an original ticket is S$60. An Internet search by the website found that the price range for resold tickets is S$159 to S$750, with most in the S$200 range.

The cheapest seat at the original price is S$12. A ticket exchange website is also reselling tickets for certain sporting events for double their face value. Badminton, swimming and table tennis are particularly popular. Even tickets for the dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony, which were not meant to be sold, are showing up online for between S$30 and S$50.

Most of these tickets were given away to volunteers. A reporter for AsiaOne pretended to be a buyer and asked the anonymous seller why he was putting five opening ceremony tickets up for sale at S$159 each, and the seller said his family “could no longer attend the event.” Asked further why the ticket prices were inflated, the seller did not answer.

AsiaOne says that many sports fans have expressed disappointment with the organization of the games since they have been unable to secure tickets for their favorite events while so many tickets available online through scalpers. Most told the website that they were notified tickets were sold out as soon as they went on sale. In some cases, however, tickets are being sold for less than face value, such as tickets for the diving event.

The Singapore Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee has been urging the public only to buy tickets from the official distributor, APACTix. The chief of the committee told AsiaOne that the online resellers “have violated the conditions of sale, and entry using these tickets may be refused.” A lawyer, however, told the website that it would be difficult for the authorities to take such action.

“Technically, the transaction is not illegal because the resellers did purchase their tickets from the official organizers,” she said. “It will be very difficult to enforce [the terms and conditions stated on the ticket].” The games begin June 5.