Why Ticketek is named among Australia’s worst services in 2026
Consumer advocacy group Choice has featured Ticketek in its 21st annual Shonky Awards, which highlight Australia's worst products and services. The ticketing platform was called out for using dynamic pricing, in-demand seat charges, and strict purchase time limits. Choice says these tactics unfairly increase costs for fans during a cost-of-living crisis.
What happened
- 2024
The Australian federal government pledged to place restrictions on dynamic pricing practices [2].
- Earlier in 2026
Fans attempting to purchase John Farnham tribute concert tickets on Ticketek encountered variable pricing, with top tier tickets priced at $1,650 [2].
- 2026
Choice awarded Ticketek and Ticketmaster Shonky awards for misleading and unfair ticket pricing strategies [1] [2].
What you need to know
Choice targeted Ticketek for dynamic pricing models that increase ticket costs as demand rises [1] [2].
Short checkout time limits placed on buyers were also criticized by the consumer advocacy group [1].
High-end options like ultimate tickets for a John Farnham tribute event reached $1,650 on the platform [2].
Ticketmaster stated that event organizers set ticket prices rather than automated price-hiking algorithms [2].
It is unconfirmed whether Ticketek will alter its pricing structure following the public backlash. It also remains unclear if future federal rules will directly prohibit dynamic pricing, as laws taking effect in 2027 currently exclude such bans [2].
Background
Choice presents its annual Shonky Awards to call out poor customer value, misleading practices, and unsatisfactory services in Australia. In the 21st edition, ticket platforms shared the dishonor roll with Virgin Australia, Hisense, and Sony [1] [2].
Dynamic pricing adjusts prices based on consumer demand, causing ticket costs to surge while people wait in digital queues. Consumer advocates argue that these strategies exploit fans facing broader financial pressures [2].
Questions people ask
What are the Choice Shonky Awards?
They are annual awards issued by consumer advocacy group Choice to highlight Australia's worst products and services [1] [2].
Why was Ticketek given a Shonky Award?
Choice named Ticketek for using dynamic pricing, expensive in-demand seats, and strict purchase time limits [1] [2].
Is dynamic pricing banned in Australia?
No. Although the federal government promised to limit the practice in 2024, upcoming laws for 2027 do not contain dynamic pricing prohibitions [2].
Where this came from
Found through Google Trends and drafted with AI from at least two cited sources. Published automatically after passing our automated checks for sources, wording and safety. It may not have been reviewed by a person yet. Report a correction.