Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Lifestyle
Cassandra Morgan

Bad Blood for Taylor Swift scalpers in Victoria

Tickets for Taylor Swift's MCG shows have been listed on a resale website for almost $6000 each. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Swifties eager for Taylor Swift's highly-anticipated return will be shielded from scalpers after the pop icon's Melbourne concerts were declared a major event.

Pre-sale tickets for The Eras Tour went live on Monday and have since been listed on resale website Viagogo for as much as $5890 each.

Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos on Tuesday declared major event status for Swift's performances at the MCG in February 2024.

It means resellers can't advertise tickets for more than 10 per cent above their original value.

Advertisements also have to include ticket and seating details, and people can't sell ticket packages unless they have been authorised to do so by the event organiser.

People who breach the laws face fines of between $925 and almost $555,000.

"By protecting our major events from ticket scalpers, we're ensuring fans have the best chance possible of seeing their music idols," Mr Dimopoulos said in a statement.

"Our message to ticket scalpers is clear - don't sell Taylor Swift tickets at inflated prices, otherwise you will be fined."

More than 60,000 Swifties are set to travel to Victoria from interstate and overseas for the tour with the American singer-songwriter only performing in Melbourne and Sydney.

Crowd numbers over her two performances at the MCG are expected to reach 180,000.

''We're expecting overwhelming interest in Taylor Swift The Eras Tour tickets, and these laws help to keep ticket purchasing fair for music fans," Frontier Touring chief executive Dion Brant said.

The Eras Tour has been the subject of unprecedented demand, selling out worldwide.

Melbourne's hotel occupancy reached more than 90 per cent when English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran performed at the MCG in March, according to the Victorian government.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.