Press Release from Cubs.com

06/19/2002 08:03 am ET 

New technology makes good seats available

The Chicago Cubs today announced two new ticket-related ventures aimed at improving accessibility of tickets to all fans.

VAST interactive ticketing kiosks to sell Cubs tickets 24x7
Attendant-free ticketing machines are now available at Wrigley Field. The machines are provided by VAST (Value Automated Systems Ticketing), the developer of the world's first attendant-free ticketing machines. VAST kiosks are located on both the exterior and interior of the ballpark and will allow access to Cubs tickets 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using debit and credit cards.

"The VAST kiosks offer a turnkey 24x7 solution to fans looking to buy tickets at Wrigley Field. Fans can use the kiosks during non-business hours or to help avoid will call lines as they pick up their tickets" said Frank Maloney, director of ticket operations for the Chicago Cubs. "The VAST technology is fully compatible with our new box-office ticketing partner, tickets.com, allowing us to better coordinate ticketing and serve our fans."

Season Ticket Exchange(tm) to resell unused tickets
The online Season Ticket Exchange(tm), available through www.cubs.com, will re-sell tickets of Cubs' season ticket holders unable to attend individual games. Operated by Season Tickets, this new online marketplace allows season ticket holders to designate games they cannot attend. Each season ticket holder can authorize Season Tickets to sell up to 20 games a season. The Season Ticket Exchange(tm) service will try to resell tickets those tickets to the online public. Fans can purchase these premium seats - most of which are otherwise unavailable to the public and in most cases go unused - at market prices up to 48 hours prior to the start of the game.

"There is obviously a strong resale market for Cubs tickets. Based on what we see online and at the many legitimate and illegitimate ticket broker operations in our neighborhood and throughout the City, people are willing and anxious to purchase excellent seats for our high demand games at premium prices," said Mark McGuire, Cubs executive vice president, business operations. "The ticket purchaser who uses Season Ticket Exchange(tm) benefits by knowing they are not buying lost, stolen or counterfeit tickets as happens too frequently" McGuire added. "This innovative on-line solution will provide Cubs' fans with a new ticket purchasing experience. Deployment of our Ticket Exchange(tm) solution offers enhanced services to their existing season ticket holders", says Robert McAuliff, Chairman and CEO for Season Tickets.

The Season Ticket Exchange(tm) or other secondary market ticketing products are currently available at other major league baseball teams, including the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Wrigley Field Premium Ticket Services to offer tickets for sale to the public
Cubs tickets will also be available through a new licensed ticket broker, Wrigley Field Premium Ticket Services, Inc., located at 3717 N. Clark Street, just north of Wrigley Field. Wrigley Field Premium Ticket Services will make available quality tickets on the resale market - the same service currently offered by many ticket brokers surrounding Wrigley Field. Wrigley Field Premium Ticket Services can be reached at 866/272-6614.