MTN8 final: Was ticketing system unfair to KNZ fans? Confusion clarified

Open Tickets boss Marnus van Niekerk has clarified claims that there was an unfair distribution of tickets for the MTN8 final.

There have been allegations that the final, set to be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, had fans from KwaZulu-Natal get fewer tickets with those from outside getting more.

However, Van Niekerk insists that the system was not manipulated as alleged, and states that in fact, KZN fans got the bulk of the 49,000 tickets available in line with the equal opportunity model that was implemented.

Was MTN8 final ticketing system unfair?

“There is a narrative that people from KZN didn’t get a fair opportunity to buy tickets; we can absolutely say that is not true,” he said as per KickOff.

“It is not from the sponsor, the league, or OpenTickets, or any effort to control who buys tickets and who doesn’t buy tickets.

“There was a queuing system that was fair to everyone; everyone had the same opportunity, and we had the statistics to back it up.

“Nearly 60% of tickets were sold to people in KZN. Obviously, Gauteng is second on the list, but there is no truth in any rumour that people from KZN were not given a fair opportunity to buy tickets.”

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According to Van Niekerk, Gauteng Province got the second highest tickets while denying allegations that the PSL, sponsor and the platform had control over the geographical location or demographics of the buyers.

The MTN8 final will be a sold-out affair as all available tickets have been snapped up for the highly-billed clash which will pit holders Orlando Pirates against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pirates are looking to win a record fifth straight crown while Sundowns are looking to end their five-year wait.