Manchester United Addresses Ticket Touting Concerns, Admits Errors

Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United has issued a comprehensive update regarding its ongoing investigation into ticket touting, acknowledging that the process has caused "significant concern and distress" among some genuine supporters. The club admitted to making mistakes in the communication and execution of the investigation, particularly underestimating the common practice of supporters sharing account usernames and passwords.

The club's stated intention throughout this extensive review remains steadfast: to safeguard fair access to tickets for legitimate Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United supporters and to actively combat organised ticket touting and any abuse of the ticketing system. While the investigation has uncovered what the club describes as "significant and organised touting," citing an instance where 1,088 accounts were accessed from a single device, it has clarified its approach to sanctions.

Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United confirmed that the most severe penalties, including the cancellation of season tickets, will be reserved for cases where there is clear evidence of "organised touting, systematic misuse or activity for financial gain." For situations where such indications are absent, season tickets will not be revoked. The club also stressed that every response from flagged supporters undergoes an individual review by a member of the ticketing team, ensuring decisions are not solely based on software or automated processes. Furthermore, supporters who face sanctions retain the right to appeal.

The investigation and subsequent fan concerns emerged in the context of the new NFC (Near Field Communication) ticketing system, which was introduced for the 2025/26 season. This new system reportedly led to issues for some fans attempting to enter Old Trafford during the opening fixture against ArsenalTeam·Arsenal, with reports of stewards being unprepared to resolve these problems, causing some attendees to miss the start of the match. United has since investigated these entry issues and plans to implement additional matchday assistance.

In response to the widespread feedback, Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United has engaged with supporters, fan representatives, and various supporter organisations through formal meetings and other communication channels. A fan forum meeting held on July 30, 2026, served as a platform for these concerns to be thoroughly discussed and outlined.

The investigation specifically reviewed account activity between March and June 2026, flagging accounts where seven or more profiles were accessed from the same device – a figure significantly higher than the average of 1.2 accounts per ticket holder. While restrictions have been lifted for many fans who provided valid explanations, the review remains ongoing, with further information and supporting data expected to be released upon its conclusion.