The summer soccer tours of European football teams in the USA present an exciting opportunity for local fans to watch some of the top teams and players in the world. While English Premier League teams regularly participate in these tours, it is a less frequent occurrence for some European teams, making the experience even more special for fans in the United States.
One of the teams embarking on a summer tour this year is Borussia Dortmund, a German football club. Borussia Dortmund is participating in the tour for the fourth time, with their inaugural participation dating back to 1954. IT security vendor ESET is particularly excited about this tour as they are a proud sponsor of Borussia Dortmund, both during the regular season and for the US tour.
With big matches against teams like Manchester United and Chelsea on the schedule, Borussia Dortmund’s presence in the USA has generated significant interest among football fans. However, whenever there are sporting events that draw large crowds, there are also opportunistic scammers who try to take advantage of unsuspecting fans by selling fake tickets or scalping tickets at exorbitant prices.
In the US market, the lack of regulation around ticket purchase and sales somewhat encourages scalping. This creates a significant secondary marketplace where tickets can sell for several times their original value, providing scammers with ample opportunities to defraud fans and engage in fraudulent activities.
To protect themselves from falling victim to ticketing scams, fans are advised to follow a few essential tips. Purchasing tickets from the official website promoted by the teams, the stadium, or the official ticket website commonly used in their country is the safest option. It is also wise to avoid tickets advertised on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, as well as unknown secondary marketplaces that appear in search results. Using payment methods that offer protection against fraud, such as credit cards or online payment methods, is highly recommended. Additionally, fans should only purchase tickets that can be digitally transferred and have been verified by the platform selling them.
Ticketing companies like Ticketmaster actively use technology to combat fraud. For instance, Ticketmaster’s SafeTix™ utilizes a unique barcode that changes every few seconds, making it extremely difficult for scammers to replicate and resell tickets to multiple parties. Major ticket companies also provide platforms for ticket resale, ensuring that the original issuer of the tickets remains involved in the process. Moreover, ticket purchasers have the option to transfer tickets to their friends and family digitally, ensuring that each attendee has their own valid ticket on their device. It is essential for fans traveling to the US this summer to be aware that some tickets may require a data connection on their devices for real-time ticket verification at the venue.
European fans traveling to the US to watch the games should take note of a few differences in the ticket purchasing process. Unlike in most of Europe, secondary market websites like SeatGeek and StubHub freely sell tickets without any price restrictions. Additionally, in some countries, such as the UK, the resale of football match tickets is prohibited. It is also worth mentioning that the home and away principle, where home and visiting team fans are usually seated separately, may not be applied in the US, meaning fans of both teams might end up sitting side by side.
In case fans suspect that they have been scammed, it is important to contact the platform they purchased the tickets from and their credit card company to cancel the payment.
Despite the potential risks of ticketing scams, fans who manage to secure tickets to a game can look forward to enjoying an exhilarating match. These are pre-season games with a more relaxed atmosphere, as there is no league or competition pressure. It is an opportunity to witness some of the world’s best footballers competing on US soil and to appreciate the beautiful game.
For Borussia Dortmund fans, keeping an eye on ESET’s Twitter account (@ESET) is recommended for BVB content, contests, and more related to the US tour.
In conclusion, as European football teams embark on their summer tours in the USA, fans should remain vigilant to protect themselves from ticketing scams. Following the provided tips and being cautious when purchasing tickets will allow fans to enjoy the thrilling experience of watching their favorite teams and players live in action.