Getting tickets to football matches in the UK can seem daunting, but with some preparation and knowing where to look, it’s very achievable. Football is hugely popular across the UK, with thousands of fans attending Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, and non-league games every week. With high demand comes difficulties in getting tickets, especially for the biggest teams. However, there are reliable ways to get tickets if you plan ahead and understand the different options.
Buy tickets directly from the club
The best way to secure tickets is directly from the club. Most professional teams in the UK have ticket sections on their official club websites. Here fans can browse available tickets and purchase them online. Clubs release tickets in batches, with priority often given to season ticket holders and members. Joining club membership schemes or mailing lists is a good way to get early access to new batches of tickets.
Tickets for the biggest clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal sell out extremely quickly. Having pre-registration and your payment details ready will help secure tickets in high demand matches. For lower profile clubs, buying tickets directly can be easier as they don’t sell out as fast.
Benefits of buying from the club
– Reliable source, no risk of fraud
– Early access for members
– Choose your own seat
– Season tickets available
Downsides
– High demand, tickets sell fast
– Membership or lottery system may be required for big clubs
Ticket reseller platforms
Using ticket reselling platforms is another route to get football tickets. Sites like Stubhub, LiveFootballTickets, and Ticketmaster provide a marketplace for people to sell spare tickets. Here you can browse matches across different clubs and purchase resold tickets.
There is more availability than buying directly from clubs, however prices are inflated. Tickets for premium matches can cost two, three or even ten times more than face value. Buyers need to weigh up paying a higher premium for hard to get tickets.
Benefits of reseller sites
– Good availability of tickets
– Lots of choice of matches and clubs
– Established protection against fraud
Downsides
– Higher prices than face value
– Risk of buying fake or cancelled tickets
Reseller Site | URL |
---|---|
StubHub | https://www.stubhub.co.uk |
LiveFootballTickets | https://www.livefootballtickets.com |
Ticketmaster | https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk |
Ticket exchanges
Ticket exchanges provide a way for fans to buy and sell spare tickets between each other. Popular UK exchanges include Twickets, Ticketmaster Fan-to-Fan, LiveFootballTickets Exchange, and Scarlet Mist. Fans who can no longer attend matches can list their spares which other fans can browse and buy.
Exchanges offer good ticket availability as fans resell at face value prices or less. They are regulated, so there is minimal risk of ticket scams. The main downside is less choice compared to reseller sites, as you rely on what tickets fans are reselling.
Benefits of ticket exchanges
– Buy tickets at face value or less
– Good for hard to get tickets
– Safe regulated service
Downsides
– Less choice and availability than resellers
– Reliant on fans reselling their tickets
Ticket Exchange | URL |
---|---|
Twickets | https://www.twickets.live |
Ticketmaster Fan-to-Fan | https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ticketexchange |
LiveFootballTickets Exchange | https://www.livefootballtickets.com/live-football-ticket-exchange |
Scarlet Mist | https://scarletmist.com |
Hospitality tickets
Hospitality tickets offer an upgraded matchday experience and are purchased through clubs or agencies. Options include executive seating, luxury suites, hospitality packages with food and drink included. These tickets guarantee attendance in comfort and style.
Of course, hospitality comes at a premium price – expect to pay at least £200 per ticket or more. Hospitality is ideal for treating clients, business associates, or friends to a VIP football experience. Packages sell out quickly so early booking is recommended.
Benefits of hospitality tickets
– Guaranteed attendance with luxury experience
– Premier seating positions
– Hospitality facilities and catering
Downsides
– Very expensive, minimum £200 per ticket
– Limited availability sells out fast
– Less atmosphere than general seating
Official ticket partners
Many clubs partner with official ticket agencies who are authorized to sell tickets. These include Thomas Cook Sport, Sportsbreaks, Premier League Travel, and Your Golf Travel. Partners offer ticket + hotel and/or travel packages for a combined price.
This can bundle up getting tickets, accommodation, and travel in one purchase. Packages are advertised for high profile matches where demand is highest. Again, expect to pay a premium for the convenience factor.
Benefits of ticket partners
– Packaged tickets, hotels and travel
– Guaranteed match tickets
– Organized travel to the game
Downsides
– Premium prices for bundles
– Less flexibility on dates and customization
Membership schemes
Most major clubs operate membership schemes with yearly fees to join. Members normally get priority access to buy new tickets before the general public. Benefits also include ticket discounts, club merchandise, and newsletters.
Membership helps your chances to get tickets for big matches. To qualify for tickets you’ll still need to log in right on time when new batches are released. Fees vary by club but are around £30-£50 per season.
Benefits of memberships
– Early ticket access before general release
– Discounts on ticket prices
– Queue priority to buy tickets
Downsides
– Yearly fee to pay
– No guarantee of tickets for top matches
– Still need to buy the tickets
Ticket ballots
For cup competitions like the FA Cup and League Cup, clubs use ballot systems to distribute tickets. Fans register their interest in advance and tickets are allocated randomly in a lottery style draw. This gives an equal chance to fans rather than first come first served.
Ballots are used when demand massively exceeds supply, like for cup finals. Registering doesn’t guarantee you will get drawn. But it’s still worth entering ballots as you can get lucky.
Benefits of ballots
– Fair distribution of tickets by random draw
– Anyone has a chance if they enter
– Often used for popular cup matches
Downsides
– No guarantee you will be selected
– Requires pre-registration and waiting
– Less choice of seats
Buying tickets on matchday
It is possible to get tickets on matchdays direct from the stadium box office. Many clubs hold back a small allocation to sell on the day to the public. These are sold on a first come first served basis. Arriving early at the ground is key, some fans queue for hours before tickets go on sale.
You are limited to unsold tickets, which tend to be isolated seats. But if you are flexible, matchday purchase can work. Just be prepared to queue and have backup plans if you go home empty handed.
Benefits of matchday purchase:
– Get tickets on the day direct from the box office
– No pre-purchasing required
– Tap into unsold and returned tickets
Downsides
– Very limited choice and availability
– Need to queue for hours before tickets sell
– Risk of no tickets left
Unauthorized ticket sources
Some other unauthorized channels for tickets include:
– Viagogo – Controversial reseller with high fees
– Social media – Tout accounts selling tickets via Twitter/Facebook
– Secondary ticket sites – Small unofficial resellers
– Touts outside stadiums – Illegal and high risk
These sources are generally best avoided. There are often issues with fraud, tickets being canceled, or exorbitant fees. Stick to official club channels or reputable resellers for a guaranteed valid ticket.
Choosing the right stand
When choosing which stand to buy tickets in, some factors to consider are:
– Atmosphere – Most vocal fans are behind the goals
– View – Higher center stands give better angles
– Home or away fans – Check which sections are designated for either
– Price – Side and end stands are often cheaper
Each stand has its own character. Read up on the stadium layout and facilities to select your ideal section. It’s also worth checking the team’s attack/defense orientation to pick side stands wisely.
Stand Type | Characteristics |
---|---|
Behind the goal | Loud atmosphere, fan songs/chanting, close to action |
Side stands | Decent view, cheaper tickets, can get exposed |
Main/center stand | Best overall view, corporate facilities, expensive |
End stands | Behind goals, good atmosphere, limited leg room |
How far in advance to buy tickets?
For regular league matches, 2-4 weeks before is ideal. Tickets go on sale 6-8 weeks prior for bigger clubs. Leave time for delivery but avoid buying too far in advance.
For cup games and derbies, buy tickets as soon as they are released. These sell out quickly. 6-8 weeks in advance or when balloting opens is best.
Always buy from official sources. Check sites for any priority windows for members too. Understand the club’s sales policy and timeline to buy at the optimal time.
When to buy tickets for:
Game type | When to buy |
---|---|
Regular league matches | 2-4 weeks before |
Big leagues matches | Up to 8 weeks before |
Cup games | As soon as tickets are available |
Derbies | As soon as tickets are available |
Opening day | As soon as tickets are available |
Factors affecting ticket prices
Ticket prices in the UK can range from £20-£100 depending on the club, match, and seat location. Some factors affecting costs are:
– Opponent – Big derbies and London clubs cost more
– Competition – Cup and European games pricier than leagues
– Location – Central and sideline seats have a premium
– Stand – Main stand most expensive, ends cheaper
– Club – Manchester United/Arsenal prices higher than smaller teams
Weekend and evening fixtures also command higher prices than midweek games due to higher demand. Overall, prices in the UK offer good value compared to other top European leagues.
Tips for buying tickets
– Join club membership schemes for presale access
– Register for ticket ballots to get cup match tickets
– Follow your team and ticketing accounts on social media for announcements
– Be ready to buy with account open, payment details saved
– Act fast when onsale windows are open, have a backup plan
– Avoid touts or viagogo – only use official sources
– Check stadium seating plan to select your ideal seats
– Be flexible on opponents and midweek vs weekend dates to get tickets
Conclusion
Obtaining tickets to see top teams and matches in the UK requires planning and awareness around the best channels. With memberships, presales, exchanges, and authorized resellers, tickets can be bought guaranteed and safely. Avoid touts and secondary sites for fake or overpriced tickets.
Know when tickets get released, use priority access where possible, and buy early for in-demand matches. There are always spare tickets circulating so perseverance and flexibility will be rewarded. Home and away fans can safely enjoy the thrilling live experience of UK football if they use legitimate sources.