Tickets for the Europa League final are being sold for an astounding £23,000 each on Vivid Seats, a company that is part-owned by Chelsea`s co-owner, Todd Boehly.
Manchester United and Tottenham are set to compete in the final match scheduled for May 21st in Bilbao.
The venue, San Mamés Stadium, has a total capacity slightly over 53,000.
Both United and Spurs have each received an allocation of 15,000 tickets. The official face value tickets started from £34 as part of UEFA`s `Fans First` initiative.
Tickets for the general public were priced across three categories, ranging from £55 to £204.
However, tickets currently listed for sale on Vivid Seats, partly owned by Boehly, are demanding exorbitant prices just a week before the final.
For example, `prime seats` located along the halfway line are advertised on the platform for £22,738 each.
Other ticket options, including Category 1 seats, are being sold for up to £17,054.
Angry fans have quickly voiced their disapproval regarding these prices. One commenter online wrote:
“Everything wrong with top level football right there.”
Another lamented:
“Unfortunately this is where the tourist league is going. Franchise soccer UK next.”
A third expressed outrage:
“Why is this allowed. Absolute disgrace.”
And a fourth commenter stated:
“Shocked but not surprised.”
Chelsea Football Club declined to provide a comment on the matter.
Todd Boehly, the American businessman, acquired a minority ownership stake in Chelsea in May 2022.
The 51-year-old serves as a director and investor in Vivid Seats. This role was recently labelled a “conflict of interest” by the Chelsea Supporters Trust.
Vivid Seats is headquartered in Chicago. While the company operates legally internationally, its services are prohibited for users within the UK.
Boehly`s company, Eldridge Industries, reportedly holds a 41 percent stake in the ticket resale website.
In an open letter published in March, the Chelsea Supporters Trust appealed to the Premier League, urging them to “act and investigate” the situation to combat ticket touting at Chelsea matches.
The letter stated:
“Many CST members are clearly infuriated by this connection and have written to us.”
“As a director of Chelsea FC and part-owner, Mr Boehly`s connection with Vivid Seats is totally inappropriate and significantly undermines the efforts of Chelsea FC, the Premier League, and the Metropolitan Police to combat ticket touting.”
“Mr Boehly has been contacted directly by the CST and has been offered multiple opportunities to both publicly and privately address supporters` concerns.”
“Neither Mr Boehly nor his representatives have, however, acted on these requests, and thousands of tickets remain for sale on the Vivid Seats website.”
A spokesperson for UEFA commented on the situation, saying:
“Uefa strongly urges fans not to purchase tickets on the secondary market.”
They added:
“Ticket sales to the general public and fans of the teams who have reached the finals are carried out exclusively by Uefa.”
