Hospitality company leaves NSW Origin fans out of pocket after late switch

A sports marketing company contracted to the NRL has refused to refund substantial monies paid for corporate hospitality at the third State of Origin match, originally scheduled to be played at McDonald Jones Stadium.

When the match was transferred to the Gold Coast’s Robina Stadium as a result of NSW’s Covid lockdown, fans who had paid as much as $14,500 for a private box at the Newcastle venue were told the money was not refundable.

Instead, they were offered alternatives, some of which were unacceptable - such as a Wallabies versus Argentina match in Newcastle in September - or a future Origin match in Sydney.

In an email to “our valued clients”, International Premier Events (IPE), a privately-owned Australian sports marketing and event management company which is an official agent of the NRL, justified its decision “in the interests of conducting future Major events this year and making sure the NRL, IPE and our other stakeholders can continue on during this uncertain period.”

However, the NRL, which is spending $13m a month to house clubs in Queensland so the code “can continue on during this uncertain period” insists it has received no cut of revenue received for the Newcastle hospitality.

An NRL spokesman said, “Nor will we seek to be paid, given the event [in Newcastle] did not proceed.”

Buyers of hospitality packages to the Newcastle Origin match were given until last Friday to advise IPL which of three alternative options they preferred: the NRL grand final, next year’s Origin match in Sydney or the Wallabies match with the codicil, “Rugby Australia will only allow us a limited amount of clients to transfer into this event.”

James Tedesco of the Blues holds aloft the Origin trophy after game three on the Gold Coast.Credit:Getty

IPL also reminded clients “this is the equivalent process we applied successfully last year to navigate though the postponed 2020 State of Origin series.”

The NRL terms are different to IPE’s and, when involved directly with clients, the NRL refunds monies for cancelled or rescheduled events.

In correspondence seen by the Herald, the NRL advised a disappointed client of IPL’s fine print: “Unfortunately, there is very little direct influence that the NRL can have in this situation ... the terms and conditions state that the agent has no obligation to provide a refund in the event of a cancellation and may also look to change the location or details of the package if required.”

IPL’s brand video claims to “specialise in talent representation, sponsorship consultancy and providing corporate hospitality for all the major sporting events throughout Australasia.”

The Sydney based company boasts ”close relationships with many of Australasia’s leading sporting organisations, including being appointed as an official authorised on seller of corporate hospitality for the National Rugby League, Rugby Australia, Australian Turf Club, Victoria Racing Club, Queensland Rugby League and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.”

Roy Masters is a Sports Columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald.

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