SYDNEY, 18 February 2026 – Ticketek, Australia’s premier ticketing and entertainment partner, is currently navigating a period of significant expansion alongside intense public scrutiny. While the company has recently announced strategic international partnerships and platform evolutions, it faces mounting pressure from fans over security measures that have disrupted high-profile ticket sales this week.
Recent Developments and System Backlash
In the last 48 hours, Ticketek has come under fire from Australian concert-goers following technical hurdles during major sales events. Fans reported being met with “restricted access” messages and security lockouts while attempting to secure tickets for artists including Zara Larsson and J. Cole. The “security measures,” intended to thwart automated bots, have reportedly “fumed” legitimate users who found themselves unable to finalise purchases despite waiting in digital queues for extended periods.
Despite these local challenges, Ticketek’s parent company, TEG, is aggressively expanding its footprint. Last week, Ticketek announced a strategic investment partnership with Damai Entertainment to jointly develop markets in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. This follows the recent unveiling of a new TEG Live platform designed to enhance the touring business and expand into specific genres like country music.
Company Profile and Operations
Founded in 1979, Ticketek remains the leading ticketing partner for the sports and live entertainment industry in Australia and New Zealand. Headquartered in Sydney, the company manages a multi-channel distribution network that services over 20,000 events annually.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1979 |
| Headquarters | 175 Liverpool St, Sydney, NSW, Australia |
| Parent Company | TEG (Ticketek Entertainment Group) |
| Estimated Revenue | A$101.5 million |
| Employee Count | Approximately 289 |
| Core Services | Ticketing for Concerts, Sports, Theatre, Festivals, and Movies |
Major Upcoming Tours (2026)
Ticketek is currently managing several high-demand tours as the 2026 live entertainment season intensifies:
- J. Cole: The “Fall-Off Tour” has announced over 50 global dates, including major arena shows across Australia and New Zealand.
- Lorde: The “Ultrasound World Tour” is scheduled to hit Australian venues this month, February 2026.
- Good Charlotte: Extra tickets and set times were recently released for their current Australian tour.
- Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: New global tour dates have been confirmed for 2026, with high demand expected for local legs.
Public Sentiment and Market Challenges
Public insights from February 2026 suggest a growing frustration with the “bot-fighting” algorithms used by major ticketing platforms. On social media and community forums, users have expressed that while security is necessary, the current “restricted access” protocols often penalise human buyers. Additionally, the rise of secondary market prices and “scam” websites has led to increased calls for more transparent queueing systems and fairer price tiers, similar to the recent $60 “affordable” tier introduced by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I seeing a “Restricted Access” message on Ticketek?
This is typically a security measure designed to block automated bots. However, it can sometimes be triggered by using a VPN, refreshing the page too frequently, or using multiple devices on the same Wi-Fi network.
Where is Ticketek headquartered?
Ticketek is based at 175 Liverpool Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia.
How can I get alerts for upcoming pre-sales?
Users can sign up for a Ticketek account and select their favourite artists or sports teams to receive email alerts and exclusive access to pre-sale windows.
Is Ticketek owned by an international firm?
Ticketek is part of TEG (Ticketek Entertainment Group), which operates worldwide out of seven country offices but remains headquartered in Sydney.