Chelsea fans have expressed frustration and accused co-owner Todd Boehly of a “breach of trust” over his connection to a ticket resale platform that sells seats to the club’s matches at inflated prices. Supporters argue that Boehly’s role in Vivid Seats, an American resale website, represents a conflict of interest and undermines efforts to combat ticket touting.
Vivid Seats enables international buyers to purchase and resell tickets for concerts and sporting events, including Premier League matches. However, British fans are prohibited from using such platforms, as reselling football tickets in this manner is illegal in the UK. The Premier League has listed Vivid Seats as an “unauthorised ticket website.”
Concerns among Chelsea fans have grown as many have struggled to secure tickets for home and away fixtures. Discussions on social media have highlighted frustration over the increasing difficulty in obtaining seats, leading to heightened scrutiny of resale practices. In response to these concerns, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) conducted a survey among its members, revealing that only 17% of supporters trust the club to effectively address ticket touting.
One of the key points of contention is that Vivid Seats currently lists hundreds of Chelsea general admission tickets at significantly marked-up prices. Since these tickets are not sold through the club’s official channels, they are classified as illegal resales. This contradicts the club’s previous statements denouncing ticket holders who sell their seats for profit.
The CST has criticized the situation, stating that Boehly’s connection to Vivid Seats raises serious ethical concerns. The organization believes that no Chelsea or Premier League tickets should be available on the platform and has called for an investigation into the matter. Fans argue that it is inappropriate for a senior figure at the club to have a financial interest in a platform profiting from ticket resales.
Findings from the CST survey indicate widespread dissatisfaction with the club’s handling of the issue. More than two-thirds of respondents believe touting is a significant problem, while 68% feel the club is not doing enough to combat it. The CST has urged the club to take immediate action, emphasizing the need for stricter resale policies, improved communication, and increased enforcement against illegal ticket sales.
Supporters have also expressed concern over the club’s perceived failure to protect loyal fans from exploitation. Over the past two to three years, frustration with anti-touting measures has increased, and many believe that Chelsea has not done enough to safeguard access to tickets for genuine supporters. The CST insists that now is the time for meaningful action, emphasizing that this issue goes beyond ticketing—it is about respecting and protecting the club’s dedicated fanbase.
Vivid Seats has defended its operations, maintaining that it is a legitimate and reliable marketplace for purchasing Premier League tickets. The platform highlights its accreditation by the Better Business Bureau, its high ratings on customer review sites, and a buyer guarantee designed to ensure security for users.
Despite these assurances, Chelsea fans remain skeptical. Many believe that reselling tickets at inflated prices excludes loyal supporters in favor of wealthier international tourists, further distancing the club from its traditional fanbase. The situation has fueled wider concerns about the commercialization of football and the prioritization of profit over supporters’ interests.
The controversy surrounding Vivid Seats and Boehly’s involvement has put additional pressure on Chelsea’s leadership to respond. Fans are demanding transparency and concrete measures to prevent ticket resale exploitation. While the club has yet to make an official statement, supporters continue to push for accountability, calling for policies that ensure fair and affordable access to match tickets.
