Editorial | Don’t pass the buck on scalping in Hong Kong
The gouging of loyal fans is a menace which threatens to undermine Hong Kong’s standing as a leading host of international sports events
The crunch football match between Hong Kong and Singapore next week is one of the most hotly anticipated in years. This clash between the rival cities is likely to determine which of them progresses to the Asian Cup finals in 2027. Hong Kong fans are desperate to attend the game at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium. There was a need for the ticket-selling process to be flawless.
Charles Cheung Yim-yau, CEO of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), said real-name registration for ticket sales, adopted for last month’s well-attended match against Bangladesh, was dropped for the Singapore game. He said the requirement, which can help combat scalpers, might cause delays when spectators enter the stadium on Tuesday.
Real-name registration has been used for the Hong Kong Sevens and National Games. It should be considered for football matches with high demand. Every effort should be made to keep fans happy, now that interest in the Hong Kong team has reached new heights.
Long a problem in Hong Kong, scalping is an offence for events at private entertainment venues, but the HK$2,000 fine (US$257) is set at too low a level. The government told lawmakers there were no prosecutions under the relevant law between 2022 and the second quarter of 2024. Regulation and enforcement need strengthening.