The demand for tickets to high-profile events has reached unprecedented levels, with prices soaring to astronomical heights on the secondary market. The upcoming Arsenal vs PSG Champions League final is no exception, as fans scramble to secure seats for the Budapest showdown.
With only 18,000 tickets allocated to each club and the remaining 31,000 reserved for neutral spectators, partners, and official distribution channels, the supply falls drastically short of the overwhelming demand. This imbalance has created a thriving black market where resellers and scammers alike are capitalizing on the frenzy.
exorbitant prices and organized resale rings
On platforms like WhatsApp groups and social media, tickets are being sold at staggering prices. “You won’t find any ticket below €2,000 on these WhatsApp groups,” shared a Parisian supporter who attempted to secure a seat for the match. Meanwhile, specialized resale websites such as Fan Pass and SeatPick are listing tickets for as high as €115,000—far exceeding the €70 to €950 range set by UEFA for official sales.
It’s mainly on X where scammers are rampant. On WhatsApp groups, however, things are surprisingly organized—almost like a legitimate ticketing company.
What’s even more alarming is the emergence of a new scam tactic: selling the ticket along with the phone it’s registered to. With UEFA’s mobile-only ticketing system, where tickets are tied to the device they were downloaded on, resellers are now offering “phone + ticket” bundles. One WhatsApp listing, for instance, advertised two tickets plus a smartphone for €19,500.
the uefa’s futile crackdown
UEFA has implemented strict measures to curb fraud, including a mobile-only ticketing app where tickets are non-transferable. The organization explicitly warns that screenshots of mobile tickets are invalid and that only the device used to download the ticket will grant entry. Despite these precautions, resellers have found ways to bypass the system.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen something like this. I’ve never encountered it before,” admitted a Parisian supporter who narrowly avoided a scam by spotting a Google Gemini logo on a fraudulent ticket screenshot—a clear red flag. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with. Is it a lone individual or an organized group? And what happens to the money you send?“
It’s unsettling not knowing who’s behind these deals. Are they lone wolves or part of a larger operation? The uncertainty is unnerving.
buyer beware
While some resale platforms offer secure transactions, the same cannot be said for social media and informal channels. Buyers are urged to exercise extreme caution, as the risks of fraud—whether through fake tickets, non-delivery, or outright scams—are higher than ever. The allure of witnessing a Champions League final has never been more costly, both financially and in terms of peace of mind.