Website Part-Owned by Boehly Offers Chelsea FA Cup Tickets for £1,705

American businessman Todd Boehly, who has co-controlled Chelsea since June 2022, faces criticism from fans as a resale platform partially owned by him lists tickets for the club’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds at Wembley for prices significantly higher than face value. Vivid Seats, an American ticket resale service in which Boehly holds a minority stake, is currently offering seats for the 26 April match at rates ranging from £30 to £1,705. These prices dwarf the official cost, which is between £30 and £150.

The listings on Vivid Seats were accessible before Chelsea season ticket holders could claim their own tickets via the club’s system. Over 100 entries are visible across all four stadium stands, including areas reserved for both Chelsea and Leeds supporters, as well as hospitality zones. Prices are set by individual sellers, with the platform earning a cut from each transaction.

Conflict of Interest Raises Concerns

Chelsea fans are expressing frustration over the apparent conflict of interest, as the club’s chairman is connected to a platform selling tickets at inflated prices. Dominic Ross, chair of the Chelsea Supporters Trust, highlighted this issue, stating:

“When major matches’ tickets are listed on resale platforms at extremely high prices, it makes clear that the system simply isn’t working for regular fans.”

He added,

“You can buy a seat in the same block I got mine for $470 (£346) on Vivid Seats. People are confused and upset that there is this clear conflict of interest.”

The Premier League has been informed of the situation, but its current rules do not address ownership ties to secondary ticketing platforms. In a response, the league’s chief executive, Richard Masters, noted:

“Whilst we understand the concerns you have raised, based on the information currently available to us we are satisfied that Mr Boehly’s involvement with Vivid Seats does not implicate a breach of Premier League rules and, as a result, we do not intend to take disciplinary action at this stage.”

Despite this, the CST remains unconvinced. In an open letter to the club, they argued:

“The Premier League has effectively acknowledged that its current rules do not address ownership links to secondary ticketing platforms, meaning this situation sits within a gap in the system. While there may be no technical breach, that does not make the situation acceptable.”

Chelsea has already taken action against ticket touts, ejecting 1,393 fans last season for holding inflated-price tickets and canceling 2,740 accounts linked to touting activities. Over 350,000 attempts to purchase tickets were blocked by the club’s system. However, the CST argues that linking touting to a platform with Boehly’s financial stake undermines these efforts. Ross commented,

“Chelsea have invested a lot in ticket touting and we’ve worked closely with them on it. They have been cancelling touts’ memberships and fair play to them, they’re taking it seriously. But it undermines all that when people are still touting their tickets through a service linked to the chairman.”

Chelsea’s journey to the FA Cup semi-final has included victories over Charlton, Hull, Wrexham, and Port Vale. The club’s FA Cup final tickets are also available on Vivid Seats, with prices between £334 and £3,630. This situation has sparked debate about how secondary ticketing platforms impact fan access to matches.