Controversy Over Champions League Tickets for Barcelona Match
The chair of the Newcastle United Supporters' Trust has expressed disappointment over the allocation of tickets for the upcoming Champions League home game against Barcelona, stating it "stings" that a school nearly 200 miles away secured dozens of tickets.
With over 110,000 users in an online queue, the demand for tickets was exceptionally high when they went on sale for the highly anticipated opening group match at St James' Park next week.
Reports indicate that the High School of Dundee purchased 45 tickets for the fixture on September 18 after being approached by an approved provider.
Lisa Mole, chair of the supporters' trust, noted that many fans are struggling to secure tickets each week. "We are not saying that we don’t want young fans to experience the matches," she stated. "However, there is a strong consensus that the ticketing situation is problematic, and incidents like this only exacerbate the issue."
Mole highlighted that members who pay an annual membership fee are not guaranteed tickets and that many have reached out after failing to secure tickets in last season's ballot. "It’s disheartening to see individuals who may not be Newcastle supporters getting access to such a high-profile game," she added.
Tickets Bought as Part of Group Package
It has been clarified that Newcastle United did not directly provide tickets to the school group. Notably, a similar group from the Dundee independent school attended Newcastle's recent Champions League match against AC Milan in 2023.
A spokesperson for the High School of Dundee explained, "The tickets were purchased as part of a group package after being approached by an approved provider." The practice of purchasing tickets from sources other than the club is not uncommon in football.
David Burt, a former Newcastle player and sports sales consultant at GB Sports Tours, noted that he has encountered similar situations. "We have had school groups from Newcastle and other areas attending matches at Manchester City, sometimes even when they are playing Newcastle or another prominent team," he remarked.
Newcastle season ticket holders can secure their tickets for all Champions League home games by joining the club's cup scheme, while remaining tickets are allocated through a ballot or made available for general sale to club members. Membership costs £37 for adults and £20 for children, in addition to tickets for season ticket holders who opted out of the cup scheme.
Given the intense demand for tickets, it is perhaps unsurprising that the club is exploring options to either build a new stadium or expand the capacity of St James' Park.