Introduction to Buying Premier League Tickets
The Premier League is the biggest and best football league on the planet. The League attracts over 600 million homes, reaching a potential audience of 4.7 billion people, and boasts the highest average match attendance. The Premier League is also the richest in the world, with an estimated annual revenue of £6.2 billion. This means Premier League tickets can be hard to come by.
All of these factors mean the Premier League captures the world’s eyes, which draws attention from every corner of the globe. This unprecedented demand for Premier League tickets results in extortionate prices and difficulty in even being able to acquire them. Membership systems and ballots are commonly used to purchase tickets, but this requires long-term planning.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know when trying to watch a game at the most in-demand league in world football.
Why Premier League Tickets Are Hard to Get
Premier League tickets are by far the most difficult tickets to gain easy access to. The high global demand means it is harder than ever before. The Premier League is an economic powerhouse that boasts sensational reach and wealth, and the appeal of the Premier League has never been bigger.
Stadium capacities have an impact on ticket availability; the varying sizes of stadiums across England are huge. Clubs like West Ham United and Newcastle United have large stadiums but are not as in-demand as the league’s top clubs. Clubs like Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton have smaller stadiums, making it harder to buy tickets despite them being less popular clubs.
As a visiting supporter, I would recommend prioritising home end tickets rather than away. Away end allocations usually allow for 10% of the capacity. This considerably lowers your chance.
Read below for my City Guides In England.
Official Ways to Buy Premier League Tickets
1. Club Memberships
The majority of Premier League clubs require memberships to obtain matchday tickets. This system is used to reward loyal supporters who gain points for each match they attend. The more points a supporter has, the more games and higher importance matches they can attend.
Memberships often consist of an initial payment that covers supporters for a year and is a rolling annual payment. Purchasing a membership breaks down the first barrier to purchasing tickets. It is important to know that acquiring a membership far from guarantees tickets, especially when looking to watch a game at one of the country’s top clubs. Due to higher demand at different football clubs, many supporters have already built up substantial points. This means that the requirements for games will be more difficult, and memberships need prior history (for e.g 8 previous games).
Cup games are often the easiest avenue to buy tickets, as there is often a lower demand due to rotated teams and the games usually being played midweek and night games.
2. General Sale
General sale is the final stage of ticket release and is available to any supporter, and you don’t need any form of membership. This is exceptionally rare for the bigger clubs and usually only exists at smaller Premier League clubs. Ticket release details will be announced on the club’s official website, so keep track of this far in advance.
3. Official Ticket Exchanges
Many Premier League clubs offer a ticket exchange system, which allows season ticket holders to resell their seats for matches they cannot attend to other supporters. This method ensures the safe moving of tickets between supporters. This ticket market prevents fraud and is a legal and verified alternative to unofficial secondary markets.
This can be a very effective method to purchase tickets for some clubs. Offering well-priced and safe tickets to ensure an easy and enjoyable matchday experience. On the other hand, some ticket exchanges allow tickets to be sold for significantly high prices.
Can Toursits Buy Premier League Tickets?
Yes, tourists can buy Premier League tickets. Buying tickets from the club itself is the most secure method. Due to high-demand it is becoming increasingly difficult for tourists to watch football in England. The only way for a tourist to guarantee safe passage to the stadium without a membership is via a hospitality package. Hospitality offers a premium matchday experience far beyond just a ticket. This package offers a pre-match lounge, free food and drinks and padded seating. This alternative can cost eye-watering amounts, ranging from a rough minimum of £200 up to the thousands.
Authorised international travel partners offer a package for an entire trip. Personally, my recommended website is P1Travel. P1Travel is an official partner of Premier League clubs such as Manchester City, Liverpool FC and West Ham United. They offer hotel and ticket packages to make your trip easy and guarantee ticket reliability.
The key to making your trip work and ensuring you have a relaxed and enjoyable time is planning early. Giving yourself time to plan gives you more flexibility.
For more planning tips, click below.
Are Third-Party Sites Safe?
Third-Party resellers are generally not considered safe or officially authorised. The unauthorised sale of football tickets is a criminal offence under UK law. Ticket touts no longer just sell tickets outside the stadium but now on social media and online marketplaces.
Several significant risks can occur when purchasing from third-party resellers. Buying tickets via unofficial sources can lead to invalid tickets and denial of entry upon arrival. Tickets on such platforms are often sold far above the face value of the ticket, sometimes by several hundred percent.
There is a risk of receiving fake tickets, digital tickets that won’t scan, or not receiving the ticket at all. This is very important to keep in mind, as this can potentially derail an entire trip; you do not want fake tickets when travelling potentially thousands of miles. Avoid buying tickets from individuals on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
How Much Do Premier League Tickets Cost?
Premier League tickets from the club’s official websites cost on average anywhere between £40 and £120. This varies from club-to-club and depends on the match. For example, derby matches cost more than big matches between major clubs. Where you sit in the stadium makes a difference, as sitting in the upper tier will cost far less than sitting by the tunnel.
Typically, the bigger clubs will demand higher ticket prices, whilst smaller clubs offer cheaper tickets for entry, providing a cheaper matchday experience. Clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur command some of the Premier League’s most expensive tickets.
As previously discussed, hospitality offers the most expensive but reliable route to watch Premier League football. Below is a table that shows some of the clubs’ hospitality price ranges.
| Club | Entry-Level Package (Approx.) | Premium/Box Package (Starting) | Key High-Demand Fixture Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | £225 – £350 | £3,000 – £15,000 (Box) | £2,999 (vs Burnley, Season Finale) |
| Aston Villa | £129 – £179 | £8,232 (Half-Season) | £399 (vs Liverpool) |
| Bournemouth | £328 | £6,750 – £8,500 (Box) | £600+ (vs Man Utd) |
| Brentford | £309 | £1,198 (Steve Bull Box) | £379 (vs West Ham/Fulham) |
| Brighton | £222 | £4,020+ (Box) | £354 (HB’s Restaurant) |
| Chelsea | £330 | £1,170 – £2,274 (VIP) | £799+ (vs Man Utd) |
| Crystal Palace | £379 | £3,650+ (Box) | £1,859 (vs Arsenal) |
| Everton | £89 – £99 | £587+ (Private Dining Box) | £399 (vs Liverpool) |
| Fulham | £445 | £3,084 (Riverside Stand) | £415 (Special Rate vs Bournemouth) |
| Man City | £209 | £4,966+ (Elite VIP) | £399 (General VIP) |
| Man United | £399 | £629+ (Treble Suite) | £755+ (Premium Seats) |
| Tottenham | £157 | £599+ (Unforgettable Day) | £419 (Stratus Lounge) |
Best Clubs for Easier Ticket Access
The Premier League may be the hardest league in the world to access as a supporter, but it does not mean it’s impossible. Below, I will provide a list of football clubs I believe you should target for easier ticket access.
- Manchester City FC
- Sunderland A.F.C
- West Ham United
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Fulham FC
From personal experience, these clubs offer you the best opportunity to experience Premier League football for a good price. Click on the club that appeals most to you, explore the website, and see if you can buy tickets for a game of your choice.
Step-By-Step: How to Secure Tickets Successfully
- 1. Choose the match of your desire.
The first step to watching Premier League football starts with deciding on the club you wish to watch. Clubs like Liverpool FC, Manchester United, Arsenal FC and Chelsea are the most popular, but are the most expensive. The clubs mentioned in the previous section offer the easiest route, so initially I recommend one of these unless you have a significant budget.
- 2. Buy Membership or track sale dates.
Depending on your selected club, you must make sure you look into the best way to secure tickets. In some cases, membership purchase is necessary and in others, not so much. I would also recommend tracking sale dates to other games to work out when tickets typically go on general sale.
- 3. Avoid big derbies
I would strongly advise against trying to acquire tickets for big Premier League derby matches or matches between major clubs. This commands higher fees, with the only viable route being hospitality. Value for money is important, and I believe your money could be spent better elsewhere.
- 4. Be Flexible
Being flexible is key to planning and booking your football trip. By giving yourself plenty of time in advance, you allow yourself to specifically select the game that suits you. You can choose the cheapest time to travel and a mixture of the best fixture and the best time to visit; all these factors combine to construct a great trip.
- 5. Consider Hospitality
Considering the purchase of hospitality tickets makes your trip far easier to execute. This gives you the freedom to watch any game of your choice at any stadium. It also means you can plan more loosely and can do more spontaneous trips. Hospitality also offers a luxury football experience while easing your mind, as the tickets are 100% guaranteed.
Is It Worth It?
I believe watching Premier League football is a bucket-list experience for all football fans. The Premier League provides visitors with the opportunity to watch some of the world’s most iconic clubs at some of the most famous stadiums. The unique atmosphere will blow your mind, and the football culture is deeply ingrained in every society. Cost is the only major consideration, as it can be expensive. But well worth it.
Final Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Arrive at the stadium 60-90 minutes early.
- Be alert to potential fixture changes as they can be subject to change.
- Avoid wearing clashing colours with the home team, and avoid purchasing tickets in the wrong end.
- Purchase souvenirs such as scarves, matchday programmes and the more expensive alternative, club football tops.
- Learn the lyrics to famous club songs and enjoy the game!
Subscribe to AwayDaysAtlas to get weekly articles as I travel the world watching the world’s best sport. For tips, insight and authentic football stories across the world, this is the perfect place to be.
For more content, click below.
Leave a Reply