TEG Live has announced it will refund over $5 million after controversy erupted over misleading advertisements of seating for the Boomers-Team USA game last year.

The deceptive marketing first made headlines in August following the clash at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.

Fans bought tickets ranging from $150 to $1500 but even before the seating debacle came the late withdrawals of star players including Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and Paul George.

Settle in with the best entertainment for the whole family. No installation. No lock-in contract. Start your Foxtel Now 10-day free trial. New customers only.

Those attending the event were even more infuriated by the seating arrangements, which in many cases were completely different to what had been advertised.

When promoting the games, TEG Live used an image of an American basketball stadium with floor-level seats which were tiered to provide the best viewing experience regardless of where you were.

The reality was completely different with many consumers on ground level stuck with obstructed views and forced to watch the game solely on the big screen.

@OlgunUluc this is the view from two seats that cost over $300 can’t see anything.... pic.twitter.com/yElTILXMpM — Leanne Willis (@Willis43Willis) August 22, 2019

Imagine paying upwards of $1,500 to get courtside seats, only to realize your sitting on a $5 fold out chair and looking up at the court. #BoomersUSA pic.twitter.com/eWcFiuL51e — Dion Alessi (@dionalessi) August 22, 2019

It prompted an investigation from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) which concluded that advertising was “misleading”.

“In our view, TEG Live’s conduct was unacceptable, and we are pleased around 5000 consumers will receive automatic refunds before the end of July,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.

“Consumers paid a premium for floor-level seats, ranging between $895 and $3995 for a hospitality package and may have done so as a result of misleading seating advertising.”

The ACCC also agreed that the advertising of high-profile players who would eventually not take part in the event was further reason for concern.

“Over a year before the games, a 35-man squad was selected and TEG Live included the names and images of the majority of those players in its advertisements,” Mr Sims said.

“In the end, only four players from the 35-man squad, Harrison Barnes, Kemba Walker, Khris Middleton and Miles Turner, played in the games.”

“We are concerned consumers may have purchased tickets believing many of these advertised high profile players would be playing when, in the end, this was not the case.”

TEG will be contacting affected consumers to inform them that they will receive an automatic refund using their original payment method before the end of July.