A leaked $500 free ticket code caused havoc to secondary ticketing site SeatGeek on Friday.
The code, which automatically deducted $500 per transaction, was used over and over again for at least an hour, sources said. Users that inputted the code MLB1 or MLB2 were able to acquire free tickets valued up to $500 for any event on the website.
SeatGeek said Monday that it's unwinding the damage. The company wouldn't disclose how many users were able to cash in on the leak.
"On Friday night, some fans made purchases on our site using an ineligible promo code that was wrongfully distributed without authorization," said Cameron Papp, a representative for SeatGeek, in a statement. "Tickets acquired via these purchases are not valid and we are working to resolve each situation accordingly."
The company did not address how the codes were leaked.
SeatGeek does have the capacity to cancel many transactions, such as any event in which the company is the official secondary partner, like MLB and the NFL.
The harder ones to unwind are through Ticketmaster, especially after a transfer to the end user has already been completed.
In addition, it's unclear how many users were able to purchase, then use a ticket for a game or concert over the weekend — before SeatGeek was able to clamp down and void them.
On Twitter, some expressed their disbelief about their good fortune.
"Holy s— I just got 2 tickets to 2 different Steelers games 100% free on SeatGeek," said Drew Morgan, with screenshots of his tickets attached. "Sounds too good to be true but there was zero catch at all."
🔥 RUN! $500 Off SeatGeek Tickets
✅ Use code MLB1 or MLB2 at checkout
🔗 – https://t.co/oQ8GbuaInr#LRDeal | #ADpic.twitter.com/VNLOaF0QQU
— Lord Restock • Price Errors & Freebies (@LordOfRestocks) May 13, 2023
Meanwhile, others expressed their disgust.
"The leaked SeatGeek code has created another blackeye for the secondary ticketing industry," said Scott Friedman. "If you're a ticket broker that used the code for financial gain, you really need to evaluate your occupation."
