Football Supporters Demand More Tickets for Europa League Final in Dublin

The Federation of Supporters of Europe (FSE) is voicing criticism and urging UEFA to allocate a higher number of tickets to supporters for the upcoming UEFA Europa League final in Dublin. The final, set to take place at the Aviva Stadium – known as the Dublin Arena for UEFA events, will see the competing finalists receive a mere half of the stadium’s capacity as tickets. The remaining tickets will be distributed to UEFA’s sponsors, VIPs, corporate packages, and a general ballot.

Among the clubs with large fan bases still in contention for the final are Liverpool, AC Milan, Roma, Marseille, and West Ham United. With only 12,000 tickets earmarked for each competing team and 36,000 for general sale, concerns are mounting over the limited accessibility to tickets.

Ronan Evain, the executive director of FSE, expressed disappointment in the current ticketing policy, urging UEFA and local organizers to reconsider and provide a higher allocation to the two finalist clubs. FSE advocates for a minimum of 66% of stadium capacity to be allocated to supporters, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and honoring fan loyalty.

While the Champions League final at Wembley will allocate 58% of tickets to competing finalists’ fans and the Conference League final in Athens will allocate 66% – an all-time high for UEFA club competition finals – the Europa League final’s current allocations fall short of fan expectations and demand.

The issue extends beyond ticket allocations, with concerns also raised regarding ticket prices, particularly the availability of affordable tickets. Current FSE policy calls for at least 45% of general admission tickets to be priced at the lowest category, aiming to make finals more accessible to loyal supporters.

Fans are actively engaging with UEFA on these matters, with ongoing discussions emphasizing the need for fair ticketing policies that prioritize supporters’ access and affordability. Organizational bodies like the FSE and supporters’ associations continue to advocate for fan-centric changes in major football competitions, seeking to enhance the overall fan experience.