Premier League clubs are battling unauthorised ticket sales, which threaten revenue and fan safety.
Premier League clubs are facing mounting pressure from a booming black market in match tickets, according to a new BBC investigation.
The investigation found it was possible to buy tickets for sold-out matches, including those featuring Manchester United, Arsenal, Everton and West Ham, through unauthorised websites.
In the UK, ticket resale is only permitted through official club platforms or designated partners, with prices generally limited to face value. However, many of the offending websites are based abroad, allowing them to operate largely unchecked.
Prices on these platforms were often two to four times the face value of the original ticket, with delivery completed digitally via email or WhatsApp and instructions for buyers to avoid interaction with stewards.
The sites claim to offer tens of thousands of tickets, including hospitality packages, but seat locations were often vague, such as “longside lower tier.” While some customers were able to enter the matches, others reported being refused access or ending up in the wrong sections.
The investigation also uncovered platforms openly selling ticket bots, software that automates ticket purchases to acquire multiple seats. These bots are illegal under UK rules, but overseas operators continue to offer them to bypass clubs’ safeguards.
Several of the companies behind these operations have prior controversies. Executives at Ticombo Switzerland were previously involved in questionable ticket sales at international tournaments, and Football Ticket Net’s former parent company was fined for selling European final tickets in violation of UEFA rules.
Ticketing challenges
The investigation has shown how easily Premier League tickets can be acquired and resold, bringing a long-running problem for clubs and the government back in focus.
Safety remains a top concern when looking at the issues which arise from black market tickets. Fans purchasing tickets intended for the away end may be placed in home sections, or vice versa, creating the potential for confrontations.
At the same time, genuine supporters are often priced out, clubs lose control over pricing and miss out on potential revenue, and struggle to manage ticket allocations for loyal members.
Clubs and the Premier League are already attempting to take steps to combat these practices. Encrypted digital ticketing is being rolled out to prevent duplication and unauthorised resale. Some clubs are going further and experimenting with banking-style ID verification, while others limit the number of ticket transfers allowed.
The new incoming Independent Football Regulator will want to make a positive impact on the game and this issue could be the perfect way to do so. However, the solution won’t be simple.
Even authorised platforms, such as Ticketmaster, which is partnered with Chelsea, have faced scrutiny.
In the US, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and eight state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, alleging deceptive fees, failure to enforce purchase limits and violations of the BOTS Act.
The case highlights how dominant ticketing platforms can unintentionally enable scalpers and inflate prices, creating reputational and operational risks for sports organisations.
