CHICAGO — Despite efforts by the Nashville Predators to keep Blackhawks fans out of their arena for upcoming playoff games, StubHub says people who buy tickets through the online ticket company's site will get in.
The matter has become the subject of some controversy on social media as the Predators have declared the playoff games in Tennessee as "credit card entry" events requiring a credit card matching the buyer to enter.
Alison Saucedo, a StubHub spokeswoman, said the company is "working behind the scenes to validate that every ticket sold on Stubhub will allow access to the buyer."
"We're keeping a close eye on this situation," she added.
Jon Hansen explains that many Blackhawks fans have been wary:
But a Predators ticket sales representitive said that StubHub seats won't get fans in the game.
"You won't have a PDF ticket or a ticket with a bar code, and if you do, it is probably a fake," the agent told DNAinfo Tuesday.
The Predators have tried different tactics to keep well-traveled Blackhawks fans out of their home arena. For the playoffs this year, the Predators sold most of their tickets through Ticketmaster, requiring a credit card with a Nashville area billing address.
The Predators ticket sales rep said that same credit card must be used to enter Wednesday or Friday's games (and any additional playoff games at Bridgestone Arena). After scanning a credit card, ticket buyers would be able to print their tickets.
On the Predators official ticket site, it's explained that events are marked "credit card entry" when "tickets are in high demand, and the artist, team or venue wants true fans like you to get the seats you want at face value by eliminating unfair competition from professional scalpers."
StubHub's Saucedo ensured potential buyers that the tickets listed on its site are ones that do not require a credit card for entry.
"Eighty to 90 percent of the tickets sold to the games do have that requirement," Saucedo said. "The ones we are selling are of the 10 to 20 percent of tickets that do not require a credit card for entry."
"If you're wary, contact StubHub directly, and we'll walk you through the process," Saucedo said. "And if for some reason, you are turned away at the gate, call us and we'll find a way to get you in that game."
Multiple forums on Reddit and other websites left Blackhawks fans looking for a road trip confused. While Stubhub's website guarantees a full refund of the ticket, fans were worried about booking hotel rooms and paying for a plane ticket or gas to drive to Nashville.
"We understand the ticket is not just about the ticket," Saucedo said. "It's about the experience. It might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We know Blackhawks fans love playoff hockey."
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