#BookMyShowScam trends online as Cricket World Cup 2023 ticket fiasco unfolds
Users on social media platforms are voicing their concerns about alleged ticket scalping by the online ticket booking app, BookMyShow.
Ticketing platform BookMyShow found itself on the receiving end of much hatred online on Sunday and Monday (August 3-4). A multitude of user complaints including enduring a long two-hour wait, discrepancies between seat availability and actual seats, difficulties booking from multiple devices, and tickets often selling out early took the Internet by storm, sending the hashtag #BookMyShowScam soaring to the top of trending lists.
BookMyShow is the official ticketing partner for World Cup 2023.
Eager fans were thrilled to access the pre-sale of tickets for the final leg of India's matches in Ahmedabad. The pre-sale was slated for Sunday, September 3, at 8 pm.
The pinnacle of the ICC World Cup 2023, the India vs Pakistan clash, was expected to be a highlight. However, as excitement grew, numerous issues emerged during the ticket booking process, leading to widespread user dissatisfaction.
What
- Users on social media platforms have been voicing their concerns about alleged ticket scalping by the online ticket booking app, BookMyShow.
- Frustration reigned supreme as passionate fans tried to snag tickets for the IND-PAK showdown once the pre-sale went live on the BookMyShow platform.
- Users found themselves stuck in a digital waiting room for a whopping 2 hours (and more, in some cases).
- Disparity arose between the advertised seat availability and the actual number of seats displayed on the app, along with issues like the inability to book tickets from multiple devices and tickets being sold before the scheduled commencement time.
BookMyShow reacts
Understanding the excitement of fans who can't wait to catch the thrilling 50-over matches at various Indian venues, BookMyShow hopped on X (formerly Twitter) and owned up to the fact that booking tickets hasn't exactly been a walk in the park for these enthusiastic fans.
#CWC2023 pic.twitter.com/7V2m8G1J30
— BookMyShow (@bookmyshow) September 1, 2023
Users expressed significant frustration due to the app's inefficiency, prolonged wait times, and uncertainty surrounding ticket availability, leaving them hanging in frustration.
The Developers Strike
Sukhmanjit Singh, a developer, noticed the discrepancy and pointed out the incorrect seat numbers, which quickly went viral on X.
I have looked at API response of bookmyshow for IndvPak worldcup match on October 14. Total of 8334 tickets in 15 blocks have been made available in a stadium with a capacity of 132000.@bookmyshow @ICC @BCCI @mufaddal_vohra @allaboutcric_ #scam #INDvPAK #worldcuptickets pic.twitter.com/SHkI4cofrs
— Sukhmanjit Singh (@sandhu__sukhman) September 3, 2023
This triggered a series of similar posts on social media, catching the public's eye.
The main bone of contention was how BookMyShow had made available only 8,334 tickets out of the 1,32,000 seating capacity of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
#BookMyShowScam #Bookmyshow @ICC @BCCI
— Vaibhav Ahuja (@vaibhav_ahuja7) September 3, 2023
what is this? @bookmyshow @narendramodi stadium has a total capacity of 132k
number of seats you put on sale < 10k for which millions of people are trying
are all the other seats reserver for corporates? what about the tax payer? pic.twitter.com/6KYanGrDQx
Got my IND vs PAK Worldcup tickets
— Dhaval Khanna (@dhavalkhanna) September 3, 2023
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almost 😮💨 Thanks @bookmyshow for such an amazing experience #bookmyshow @BCCI #BCCI pic.twitter.com/RNPrB1HdGg
BOOKMYSHOW #scam like I won’t doubt that when the match day comes it will stil show waiting @bookmyshow #BookMyShowScam #indvspak2023 #ShubmanGill #BCCI pic.twitter.com/ryP2lOV3LY
— Vineet Gaur 🇮🇳 (@vineet_gaur) September 3, 2023
The queue says more than 1 hour, but the API response says that there is just 1 seat available 😂 this whole ticketing campaign is a big joke! @bookmyshow @ICC @BCCI #CWC2023 #bookmyshow #BookMyShowScam #IndiaVsPakistan #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/ZAtwaNO80o
— Akshat (@3minus1) September 3, 2023
#RTI should be filed against #BookMyShow. How tickets r sold off before the time of commencement selling ? How sold off tickets r available at other sites at an exorbitant price ? Rs 1,854,140 /- for Ind vs Pak match at Ahmedabad. #INDvPAK #BookMyShowScam #ICC #BCCI #WC2023 pic.twitter.com/Od4p6aN2gv
— Gairik Maji (@gairick) September 2, 2023
Ticket prices
On BookMyShow, tickets for the India vs Pakistan match start at Rs 2,000, and go up till Rs 1,00,000.
The big India vs Pakistan WC 2023 clash
India and Pakistan are all set to face off in the World Cup 2023 on October 14. The match is scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Cricket fans have booked hotels (sometimes at skyhigh prices), and even hospital beds in Ahmedabad to catch the big clash between India and Pakistan this October.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 kicks off on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
(DailyO reached out to BookMyShow for a comment on the 'scam' allegations, but has yet to receive a response. The story will be updated if they respond.)