In a startling revelation, Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly has been identified as a co-owner of Vivid Seats, an “unauthorised” ticket resale website that facilitates the resale of Premier League tickets to foreign buyers.
This revelation comes despite Chelsea’s ongoing campaign against ticket touting, which has been a growing issue in the Premier League. The club has repeatedly condemned the practice and pledged strict sanctions against those involved. However, a report by The Telegraph suggests that Boehly, 51, could be profiting from a system that Chelsea itself has vowed to dismantle.
Vivid Seats, an American-based online marketplace, is not legally permitted to sell tickets for football matches within the UK due to strict laws implemented after the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. Despite these restrictions, the platform reportedly allows foreign users to resell tickets for Chelsea matches and other Premier League games, sometimes at staggering prices.
The resale prices can soar into the tens of thousands of pounds, with Vivid Seats taking a hefty 10% commission along with additional service fees. Given that the Premier League officially lists Vivid Seats as an “unauthorised ticketing website,” this development raises serious questions about Boehly’s involvement in a practice that directly contradicts Chelsea’s stance.
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Chelsea has consistently promised to crack down on ticket touting, warning that fans caught engaging in such practices could face severe consequences, including having their season tickets revoked or being banned from attending matches. The club has also stressed the potential for criminal prosecution against those involved in illegal ticket resales. Despite these efforts, the resale market continues to thrive, creating frustration among loyal supporters who struggle to secure matchday tickets at face value.
For Chelsea fans, the implications of this news are deeply troubling. Supporters who purchase tickets from unauthorised sources not only risk paying exorbitant prices but also face the danger of being turned away at the stadium gates.
One disgruntled Chelsea fan expressed their anger to The Telegraph, stating, “The fact that our owner could be benefiting personally at the expense of loyal supporters is hypocritical at best and downright dishonest at worst. Ticket touting is a huge issue at Chelsea, and it’s only getting worse.”
Prices Too High
While Vivid Seats claims it adheres to legal guidelines by restricting sales of Premier League tickets from UK-based sellers, listings for high-profile matches remain available on the platform. The site features resale options for games across the season, including Liverpool’s final-day clash with Crystal Palace, with prices reportedly ranging from £1,765 to a staggering £19,369.
Vivid Seats has defended itself, asserting that it does not directly market or advertise Premier League tickets to UK customers and emphasizing that pricing is set by individual sellers, not the company itself.
Despite the controversy, ticket resale websites like Vivid Seats continue to operate globally, capitalizing on demand for Premier League tickets from international fans. While Chelsea’s public stance remains firmly against touting, this revelation places significant scrutiny on the club’s ownership and its commitment to addressing the issue. With growing discontent among supporters and increased media attention, the pressure is now on Boehly and Chelsea to provide clarity and take definitive action against this escalating problem.
