Tickets for the Indiana Fever pre-season game against Brazil sold out in just 37 minutes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, highlighting the demand for Hawkeye star Caitlin Clark. To prevent bots from buying tickets and reselling them at inflated prices, Iowa prioritized sales to season ticket holders and donors. Jeff Kreinbring, a dedicated fan, faced challenges securing his tickets, which underscores the fierce competition for access. Iowa officials aim to regulate the ticket market by reviewing accounts and pursuing legislation to deter resale by investors. Kreinbring values the experience, noting Clark’s extraordinary talent makes the attendance worthwhile for his family.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Good luck securing tickets for the Indiana Fever pre-season matchup against Brazil at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in May.
In just 37 minutes after being released to season ticket holders and donors on Thursday, every seat was gone. Iowa took significant measures to ensure that automated “bots” were not responsible for purchasing the tickets and reselling them at inflated prices.
The phrase “Sold Out” is prominently displayed on the entrances of Carver-Hawkeye Arena as well as on the team’s website for tickets to witness Hawkeye icon Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever compete against the Brazil women’s team in a pre-season event. Nevertheless, that didn’t prevent dedicated Women’s Hawkeye fan Jeff Kreinbring from securing four tickets for his family, who are avid Hawkeye supporters.
“I was at my computer trying to select our seats, and every time I tried to add them to the cart, it said those seats were no longer available.
Access to these tickets is limited to season ticket holders and donors. Kreinbring mentioned that he began purchasing season tickets once he realized Clark was a once-in-a-generation talent.
School officials shared that they had limited influence over ticket sales but were successful in negotiating for season ticket holders and donors to receive priority access. This measure aimed to prevent bots or external investors from monopolizing ticket sales. Concerns were raised about bots reselling tickets at exorbitant prices. Jess Rickertsen noted that those reselling tickets, which range from $600 to $5,000, were not investors.
“Those reselling the tickets are either season ticket holders or donors,” he stated. “We continuously review all accounts, including season ticket holders and donors, for secondary market activity.”
Rickertsen mentioned that Iowa has eliminated over 200 accounts in the past two years due to individuals acting as brokers or buying with the express intent of reselling tickets at higher prices. A proposal in the Iowa legislature aims to prevent investors from acquiring tickets for resale.
“We wholeheartedly welcome measures to eliminate bots that pose as fans solely to acquire hundreds of tickets for resale,” he said.
Kreinbring expressed his intention to keep his four tickets, emphasizing that attending the game to see Clark creates invaluable memories for his family.
“She’s the type of player you can’t take your eyes off,” he remarked. “If you glance at your phone or something, you might miss the most incredible play ever.”
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