World Championship 2024: Ticket Sales Reopened Following Bot Activity
Update (October 8, 2024): Riot Games has announced the reopening of ticket sales for the highly anticipated 2024 World Cup final after a temporary postponement due to “significant bot activity” that plagued the initial sales. Fans eager to secure their coveted tickets can look forward to a fresh opportunity.
According to Riot, “Players must have an active Riot account created before October 1, 2024, and the account must have a record of League of Legends gameplay.” From October 8th at 6 am PT (2 pm BST) until October 9th at 1 pm PT (9 pm BST), fans are required to visit the World Finals ticket eligibility page and enter the email associated with their Riot account. After verification on October 10, players will receive an email containing a one-time access code along with a link to an AXS private sales page. Emails will be dispatched in waves, so expect some waiting time after registration.
The actual ticket sales will commence on October 11 at 6 am PT (2 pm BST) via the invitation-only AXS sales page included in the verification email. However, it’s crucial to understand that completing the verification process and receiving a code does not guarantee a ticket, as availability will be limited.
The Rollercoaster of Ticket Sales
Original article (October 4, 2024): Riot Games previously unveiled the postponement of ticket sales for the 2024 League of Legends World Championship Finals after experiencing rampant botting and scalping incidents within the last 48 hours. This announcement has left many hopeful fans scrambling in frustration as they navigate what felt like a fruitless lottery for tickets to the final at London’s O2 on November 2, 2024.
“After discovering significant bot activity impacting our pre-sales over the past 48 hours,” Riot stated, “we have made the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily postpone the latest round of ticket sales for the World Final. We are working to resolve the issue and will update you as soon as possible.” The company also mentioned their commitment to identifying tickets purchased by bots to return them to genuine fans.
For those who have already secured tickets legitimately, your purchase remains unaffected; however, anyone suspecting their purchase was compromised is urged to contact AXS customer service for assistance. “Thank you for your patience as we work through this matter – our goal is to ensure a fair and smooth ticketing process for everyone,” the statement concluded.
Fan Reactions and Concerns
After the initial wave of tickets was released in August, many fans expressed their dismay upon finding scalpers listing tickets at prices soaring above £2,000. The community reaction has been loud and clear, with many taking to social media to voice their opinions on the controversial situation. User HappyChimeNoises suggested that Riot implement a verified Level 30 League of Legends account for ticket eligibility. “It’s that simple,” they tweeted.
Meanwhile, another user, YetAnotherScrub, reflected on previous ticket sales disappearing within mere minutes, expressing a strong desire to thwart scalpers’ attempts to capitalize on this situation. As discussions intensified, additional users called for investigations into the first round of sales, with Jarathel urging for accountability and answers regarding the swift sell-out of tickets.
Amid the chaos, Charlotte Buchan proposed a straightforward solution: requiring ID verification for ticket purchases to combat scalpers. On a lighter note, Ismii Azizul humorously queried, “Why not use Vanguard?” highlighting the shared frustration among fans.
A Community United for Change
Among the myriad of reactions, Sammi Dodger captured the sentiment of many in the community: “I’m happy to see LoL Esports taking this seriously. As a fan myself, I felt incredibly disheartened by the initial chaos, but I appreciate the strides being made to rectify the situation.”
Others chimed in with exasperation, pointing out the absurdity of the ticket situation when compared to other major events. User Naomi Ellett humorously emphasized, “It’s easier to get tickets for Taylor Swift than for the League of Legends World Finals… #Worlds2024.”
A Timeline of Ticket Sales
The timeline of ticket sales for the 2024 World Cup final has been plagued with hurdles. In August, Riot introduced a new ticket purchasing format designed to enhance accessibility by dividing sales into two waves. Despite the intentions, the first wave left many fans disheartened after hours of waiting in digital queues, with seats disappearing quicker than anticipated, sparking outcries from those left empty-handed. The second wave was met with similar frustrations, culminating in Riot’s postponement announcement at around 1 am BST, just hours before the scheduled general ticket sales.
As fans eagerly await the reopening of sales, the community remains hopeful that Riot Games will effectively tackle the issue of botting and ensure that dedicated fans have a fair chance to experience the excitement of the 2024 League of Legends World Championship Finals.
