UK Moves to Criminalise Ticket Touting Ahead of Euro 2028 in Crackdown on Fan Exploitation

The United Kingdom government is preparing to introduce tough new laws to criminalise ticket touting as part of efforts to protect fans ahead of the UEFA Euro 2028, which will be co-hosted across the UK and Ireland.

Under the proposed legislation, individuals caught reselling tickets above their original face value could face criminal charges and significant financial penalties. The move is aimed at dismantling the lucrative secondary ticket market, where touts often use automated bots to purchase large quantities of tickets and resell them at inflated prices.

Authorities say the crackdown is necessary to ensure fair access for genuine supporters, particularly for a major tournament like Euro 2028, which is expected to attract millions of fans. Officials argue that unchecked ticket resale has long undermined the integrity of live events, pricing out ordinary supporters and exposing them to fraud.

The proposed measures build on broader reforms introduced in 2025, when the government announced plans to ban the resale of tickets for profit across concerts, sports, and other live events. These rules are designed to cap resale prices at the original ticket cost and limit service fees on resale platforms, effectively targeting the business model of professional touts.

For Euro 2028 specifically, additional protections are being considered to meet tournament requirements and safeguard fans. These include stricter enforcement against unauthorised resale, street trading, and counterfeit tickets, as well as heavier penalties for violations. Some proposals suggest fines reaching tens of thousands of pounds for offenders.

The crackdown reflects growing concern over the scale and sophistication of ticket touting. In recent years, the use of bots and bulk-buying strategies has allowed resellers to dominate ticket sales within minutes of release, driving up prices and limiting availability for regular fans.

The UK already has laws restricting the resale of football tickets without authorisation, but the new measures would significantly expand enforcement and close loopholes that have allowed touting to flourish in other areas of live entertainment.

However, the proposals have sparked debate. While consumer groups and fan organisations have welcomed the move as long overdue, some resale platforms warn that strict price caps could push the market underground, potentially increasing fraud risks.

Euro 2028, set to be staged across multiple cities including London, Glasgow, and Dublin, is expected to be one of the largest sporting events ever hosted by the UK and Ireland. With millions of tickets anticipated to go on sale, ensuring fair distribution has become a key priority for organisers and governments alike.

As preparations continue, the proposed anti-touting laws signal a broader shift in how authorities are addressing ticket resale. By targeting profiteering and prioritising accessibility, the UK government aims to ensure that one of football’s biggest tournaments remains affordable and accessible to genuine supporters rather than dominated by opportunistic resellers.