Ticketek system failure causes fan lockouts at AFL and NRL preliminary finals

Liam O'Loughlin

Ticketek system failure causes fan lockouts at AFL and NRL preliminary finals image

A system failure on Ticketek has left thousands of fans stranded outside Adelaide Oval and Suncorp Stadium for Friday night's preliminary finals.

The clashes between Melbourne vs Canberra in the NRL and Port Adelaide vs Richmond in the AFL were highly-anticipated and expecting reasonable crowds - but it hasn't come without a hiccup.

Pictures began to surface on social media just minutes before both games kicked off, with large groups of people standing outside the gates.

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Eventually it is believed that the gates were thrown open after kickoff at Suncorp Stadium, and fans were able to get to their seats. 

"Thank heavens, some common sense," Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said.

"Whether it was Andrew Abdo or someone from the NRL they just said throw the damn doors open, let them inside and that's what they did.

"After kick off the gates were thrown wide open."



Melbourne flew out to an 18-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes of the game at Suncorp Stadium, while Richmond and Port Adelaide were in a tight battle in the first quarter. 

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW.