TSG Hoffenheim to crack the whip against ticket rip-off

Article posted by Coliseum, February 10^th, 2020

Image: TSG Hoffenheim

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH – a professional German association football club based in Hoffenheim, Germany – has taken a tough stance against tickets being sold in the black market in regard to their match to be held against FC Bayern Munich on February 29 in their residence – PreZero Arena.

Tickets for the forthcoming match to be held in the home facility of the TSG Hoffenheim – PreZero Arena at Baden-Württemberg in Germany – have already sold like hot cakes.

However, TSG Hoffenheim has taken stern note of the fact that numerous tickets for their ensuing match against the soccer giants – FC Bayern Munich – were offered for sale at various, unauthorized ticket sales platforms such as Viagogo, eBay or eBay classified ads, and the prices of few tickets were grossly overpriced. TSG has decided to crack the whip against the black marketeers and has sought fans’ support in this regard.

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The general ticket terms and conditions of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH prohibit both the public offering and commercial ticket resale (for profit) and if one is found doing so, he or she is liable to be prosecuted under civil law. TSG has been working in sync with the Karlsruhe law firm SCHÜTZ Rechtsanwälte for several years now to stop illegal sale of tickets and has been successful in this regard.

TSG has been consistently and successfully combating these unauthorized ticket sales in cooperation with the Karlsruhe law firm SCHÜTZ Rechtsanwälte for several years.

TSG wants fans to cooperate with them (keeping in mind the club’s home game against Bayern Munich) in their fight against the dark underbelly of black marketeers. To this end, an information stand will come up for TSG fans at the west box office of the PreZero Arena (diagonally opposite the fan shop). Prior to the match and post-match, every supporter who bought tickets at an escalated price will be able to hand over their cards. TSG will then do a thorough investigation on how the tickets got to the buyers.

Fans overpriced for tickets can also get in touch with TSG Ticketing with all the information one day prior to the match.

The TSG has made it clear in no uncertain terms that fans who have bought an overpriced ticket have no legal consequences to fear!

“We are continuing on the path we have taken since 2017 against overpriced resale of tickets and have already had numerous legal successes. We want to further contain the rip-off with our tickets – we hope for the support of our fans,” stated Thorsten Baller, Head of Ticketing at TSG Hoffenheim.

TSG lawyer Dr Markus Schütz observed, “In addition to a consistent approach against platforms such as Viagogo, we also support the ticketing department in cases where, in a ‘smaller’ setting, coveted tickets are used for intolerable trade. The usury prices that are often called up or obtained in auctions ultimately harm all honest fans and the club.”

TSG Hoffenheim made a fervent plea to its club members, season ticket customers, fan club members and other stadium visitors not to support the unauthorized resale and black market trade with admission tickets. TSG urged its spectators not to buy tickets if they are offered the same at the stadium. The German club argued that fans will not be able to realize whether these tickets have been blocked or cancelled due to fraud or other violations. The worst case scenario is that fans end up spending a bomb on cards and still cannot watch the game because the tickets have been blocked by TSG. The same also applies to the purchase of tickets through other Internet platforms.

Therefore, fans have been asked to buy tickets directly from TSG Hoffenheim. The club also offers an authorized secondary market – the TSG ticket exchange. Here, TSG fans can buy or sell their tickets under fair conditions.

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