Getting tickets to see Paris Saint-Germain, one of the biggest football clubs in France and Europe, play at the Parc des Princes can be very difficult due to huge demand. As PSG have become more successful in recent years, winning multiple Ligue 1 titles and domestic cups as well as reaching the final of the Champions League in 2020, demand for tickets has increased significantly. Here is an in-depth look at how hard it is to get PSG tickets and what the requirements are.
High Demand for Limited Tickets
One of the main reasons getting PSG tickets is so difficult is simply due to supply and demand economics. The Parc des Princes stadium where PSG play has a capacity of just under 48,000 seats. For a club with a huge global fanbase, especially after signing superstar players like Neymar and Mbappe, this is a very limited amount of tickets. PSG could easily sell out a stadium with double or triple that capacity. Some reports estimate there are over 15 million PSG supporters worldwide.
On average, there are around 22,000 season ticket holders at Parc des Princes. That leaves only 26,000 tickets available for the public on a match by match basis. However, 9,000 of those seats are reserved for away fans in the Boulogne stand. That leaves just 17,000 tickets for PSG fans per match. When you consider that over 500,000 people applied for season tickets in 2019, you can see why the public tickets sell out extremely fast.
Making things even harder is that PSG are now in such high demand that only members can buy tickets for most matches. So in order to even have a chance at buying tickets, you first have to sign up for a paid membership which already limits who can try for tickets.
When Do Tickets Go On Sale?
PSG tickets generally go on sale to members around 45 days prior to a match. This timeframe can sometimes be longer for big matches like the Classique against Marseille or important Champions League knockout games. The club will announce when the sale starts on their website and to members through email and social media.
Once the sale opens, tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. The early birds get the worms when it comes to securing a seat at Parc des Princes. You have to act fast as soon as tickets go on sale to have a realistic chance of getting one. Big matches can sell out completely in minutes or even seconds in some extreme cases.
There is also a second release of tickets around 10 days before each match. This is when members can purchase any tickets that were held back or returned from the initial sale. Just like the first release, these leftover tickets get snapped up quickly.
The Cost of PSG Tickets
Along with limited availability, the cost of tickets is another big hurdle. PSG does not come cheap. Here is a breakdown of PSG ticket prices for Ligue 1 matches:
Area | Category | Price |
---|---|---|
Boulogne (away fans) | Unique | €25 |
Auteuil | Category 1 | €50 |
Category 2 | €40 | |
Category 3 | €30 | |
Paris | Category 1 | €100 |
Category 2 | €75 | |
Category 3 | €50 | |
Tribune Paris | Category 1 | €180 |
Category 2 | €130 | |
Category 3 | €80 |
As you can see, even the cheapest PSG tickets start at €30 which is one of the highest starting prices in Ligue 1. The best seats run over €180 each. Prices are also significantly higher for big Champions League matches.
When you multiply those costs by 2-4 tickets for your group, costs add up quickly. Going to a match becomes very expensive and unaffordable for many fans.
Booking Through a Travel Package
One way to guarantee tickets, if you have the budget, is booking through an official travel partner of PSG. Companies like SportsBreak.com offer ticket and hotel packages for both home and away matches. These packages ensure you receive category 1 or 2 match tickets as part of your itinerary.
Of course, these trips are not cheap. Packages for big Champions League matches often run €400-€600 or more per person. But if money is no object and you want the peace of mind knowing you have seats locked down, booking a hotel package is a good option.
Buying Through Ticket Resellers
If you aren’t lucky enough to get tickets during the initial member sales, the secondary ticket market is your last option. Sites like StubHub, Viagogo, and LiveFootballTickets have ticket inventory for PSG matches.
However, you will pay very inflated prices, often 3-5x face value or more for these resale tickets. Touts know how scarce PSG tickets are so they squeeze every cent possible out of desperate fans. Make sure to use reputable verified resellers for authenticity.
Joining a Fan Club
Season ticket holders aren’t the only ones with special access to tickets. PSG also allocates seats for certain fan clubs and supporters groups, especially in the Boulogne stand.
Joining groups like Collectif Ultras Paris, Paris 1970, and Supe Rouge can increase your chances of getting a ticket. But you have to prove your loyalty and dedication to the club over time to earn membership privileges.
Applying for a Season Ticket
The only sure fire way to attend all PSG home matches is to become a season ticket holder. However, there are decades long waiting lists and over 500,000 other fans competing for under 30,000 seats. Not to mention season tickets cost €600-€1400 depending on the area of the stadium.
Unless you inherited grandpa’s 40 year old season ticket, don’t count on getting your own anytime soon. But if you have the patience, applying for the waiting list is your best shot. Just be prepared to wait many years if you ever get the chance to buy season tickets.
Conclusion
Getting tickets to see PSG at Parc des Princes is an extreme challenge. With incredibly high demand and low ticket availability, most matches sell out instantly. Joining fan clubs, booking travel packages, or paying inflated reseller prices are ways to secure tickets. But the average fan is mostly left hoping to get lucky in the fast-paced member sales. Patience and persistence are required if you want to ever see Kylian Mbappe and Neymar play in Paris.