I booked a ticket for KB through Ticketek. I received the following email from Ticketek today. Note that I have never "purchased multiple Children Under 5 tickets". Maybe some others are having the same experience, the solution appears below ...

"Dear Ticket Holder,

We look forward to welcoming you to the MCG for the Toyota AFL Premiership Season match between Melbourne and Collingwood on Monday 9 June 2025.

Your account has been flagged as having purchased multiple Children Under 5 tickets without an accompanying Adult ticket. The MCC, as ground manager of the MCG, is strongly committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people within the stadium.

As a result, your ticket barcodes have been blocked for this match. On Friday, please visit the Ticketek windows at Gate 3B box office (to the left of Gate 3) with children present to unblock the barcodes or to have your tickets upgraded to a Concession or Adult ticket if a Child ticket has been purchased incorrectly. This box office will be open from 11:30am.

Please note as we are expecting a large crowd for this match, please arrive early and leave plenty of time for the entry process.

Regards,
Ticketek Team"

Ticketek are difficult to contact. I called their help number but the recorded message said "operators are busy, thanks for your patience" and hung up on me. So I filled in their online form and surprisingly they responded promptly via email:

"Hi
 
The MCG and AFL have advised that this email was sent out to all customers in error instead of only those who are impacted
 
An updated email will be sent confirming this information in the coming hours
 
You will not need to visit the box office on the day and can scan in your tickets as they are.
 
We apologize for any inconvenience

Regards,
Customer Solutions"

Well, that was a full-blown emotional rollercoaster in three acts, confusion, outrage, relief, followed by the bonus twist of triggering residual annoyance about buying footy tickets. I laughed, I cried, I questioned my ability to read Ticketek emails. Glad it was just a false alarm… classic Ticketek, giving everyone a free anxiety attack with their tickets!

2 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Well, that was a full-blown emotional rollercoaster in three acts, confusion, outrage, relief, followed by the bonus twist of triggering residual annoyance about buying footy tickets. I laughed, I cried, I questioned my ability to read Ticketek emails. Glad it was just a false alarm… classic Ticketek, giving everyone a free anxiety attack with their tickets!

I was particularly alarmed at their demand: "On Friday, please visit the Ticketek windows at Gate 3B box office (to the left of Gate 3) with children present to unblock the barcodes or to have your tickets upgraded to a Concession or Adult ticket if a Child ticket has been purchased incorrectly. This box office will be open from 11:30am."

Was wondering why I needed to go on Friday and where I could get the children from.

19 hours ago, old55 said:

I was particularly alarmed at their demand: "On Friday, please visit the Ticketek windows at Gate 3B box office (to the left of Gate 3) with children present to unblock the barcodes or to have your tickets upgraded to a Concession or Adult ticket if a Child ticket has been purchased incorrectly. This box office will be open from 11:30am."

Was wondering why I needed to go on Friday and where I could get the children from.

You're not into kidnapping?

7 minutes ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

You're not into kidnapping?

No, less kid, more napping these days.

20 hours ago, old55 said:

I booked a ticket for KB through Ticketek. I received the following email from Ticketek today. Note that I have never "purchased multiple Children Under 5 tickets". Maybe some others are having the same experience, the solution appears below ...

"Dear Ticket Holder,

We look forward to welcoming you to the MCG for the Toyota AFL Premiership Season match between Melbourne and Collingwood on Monday 9 June 2025.

Your account has been flagged as having purchased multiple Children Under 5 tickets without an accompanying Adult ticket. The MCC, as ground manager of the MCG, is strongly committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people within the stadium.

As a result, your ticket barcodes have been blocked for this match. On Friday, please visit the Ticketek windows at Gate 3B box office (to the left of Gate 3) with children present to unblock the barcodes or to have your tickets upgraded to a Concession or Adult ticket if a Child ticket has been purchased incorrectly. This box office will be open from 11:30am.

Please note as we are expecting a large crowd for this match, please arrive early and leave plenty of time for the entry process.

Regards,
Ticketek Team"

Ticketek are difficult to contact. I called their help number but the recorded message said "operators are busy, thanks for your patience" and hung up on me. So I filled in their online form and surprisingly they responded promptly via email:

"Hi
 
The MCG and AFL have advised that this email was sent out to all customers in error instead of only those who are impacted
 
An updated email will be sent confirming this information in the coming hours
 
You will not need to visit the box office on the day and can scan in your tickets as they are.
 
We apologize for any inconvenience

Regards,
Customer Solutions"

Ticketek says they’re concerned about the safety of children who are at the footy without an adult. Maybe they are. But what they’re definitely concerned about is adults purchasing tickets (for adults to attend) at the price of children’s tickets. Therefore they flag accounts where just children’s tickets are purchased (with no adult tickets in the same order), but they’ve also flagged accounts where there’s one adult ticket along with several under-5yo children tickets.

Anyways, glad it was quickly sorted for you, old55. Who needs the stress, right? I’m sure there’ll be more than enough stress during the match 😑

20 hours ago, old55 said:

I was particularly alarmed at their demand: "On Friday, please visit the Ticketek windows at Gate 3B box office (to the left of Gate 3) with children present to unblock the barcodes or to have your tickets upgraded to a Concession or Adult ticket if a Child ticket has been purchased incorrectly. This box office will be open from 11:30am."

Was wondering why I needed to go on Friday and where I could get the children from.

7 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Ticketek says they’re concerned about the safety of children who are at the footy without an adult. Maybe they are. But what they’re definitely concerned about is adults purchasing tickets (for adults to attend) at the price of children’s tickets. Therefore they flag accounts where just children’s tickets are purchased (with no adult tickets in the same order), but they’ve also flagged accounts where there’s one adult ticket along with several under-5yo children tickets.

Anyways, glad it was quickly sorted for you, old55. Who needs the stress, right? I’m sure there’ll be more than enough stress during the match 😑

Does this take into account the mental acuity of Collingwood supporters?

if the Collingwood cheer squad has been through full cognitive testing, they have a strong case to put forward for being admitted as children.

I've seen them up close before and if I closed my eyes I'd swear I was listening to a few thousand sleep deprived toddlers.

Methamphetamine and no afternoon nap is not a good combo

How much longer must we put up with Ticketek - I attempted to update bank details for my membership earlier in the year and it was like cracking the enigma code. Please AFL, please help us!! Ticketek doesn't work!!

17 hours ago, Brownie said:

Methamphetamine and no afternoon nap is not a good combo

Depends on the circumstances.

12 hours ago, binman said:

Depends on the circumstances.

Who are you watching @binman

Buying tickets (except for finals) was fine more than 5 years ago...

How has Ticketek gotten worse?