Local

Lucky fans score Panthers playoff tickets through Ticketmaster

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tickets for the Panthers playoff game at Bank of America Stadium went on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The Panthers sent out a tweet shortly after that said tickets were sold out in three minutes.

Cheri Svitak said she and her two daughters got on their computers Wednesday morning. At 10 a.m., they hit refresh on the Ticketmaster page.

Svitak said she and her younger daughter struck out and were told tickets were sold out. But she said her oldest daughter got through and was able to buy her family five tickets.

"We got $68 tickets," said Svitak, of Mooresville.

Tammy Cromwell said she still can't believe the tickets sold out in three minutes and that she ended up being able to buy two.

"I told my husband it was meant to be," Cromwell said. "We were supposed to be there, because there are thousands and thousands of people trying to do the same thing that didn't get through."

Some of those people who tried but didn't get tickets posted on the Eyewitness News Facebook page.

Some voiced frustration that the tickets were gone so fast.

Eyewitness News saw tickets to the game posted on resale sites. Some were posted for hundreds of dollars. Some were posted for thousands of dollars. One pair of tickets was even listed for almost $11,000.

The Panthers told Eyewitness News they don't have an association with StubHub, only Ticketmaster. The team said that the process used to sell tickets online Wednesday is the same process used for regular season ticket sales.

A spokesperson for the team said that 7,000 tickets were on sale Wednesday morning after season ticket holders were taken care of.

"Anything that's good for Charlotte and the Carolinas is of course good for us," said Ed Camp, director of Business Development and Public Relations for the EpiCentre.

The EpiCentre in uptown is a short walk to the stadium. The businesses there are taking part in a three-day celebration with a pep rally, games and prizes.

"It's historic when you're in the playoffs," said Camp. "It doesn't happen every year."

The fans Eyewitness News spoke with hope their luck in getting tickets transfers to their team for the game.

"This is really sweet to have such a good season and to be getting a home playoff game; it's good for Charlotte," said Roy Cromwell, a fan.

"I can't wait. I wish it was tomorrow," said Svitak.

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For information, contact the ticket office at (704) 358-7800 Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.