Let’s be honest—getting football tickets the official way isn’t always easy. Big games sell out fast, memberships don’t guarantee access, and sometimes you just need another way in. Enter resale tickets. But before you splash the cash on a secondary site, let’s walk through how to do it safely, smartly, and without getting scammed.

This guide will answer all your burning questions about football ticket resale, so you can decide when it’s worth it and when to walk away.

Resale sites work as marketplaces where people sell tickets they can’t use (or, let’s be real, bought just to flip for a profit). Some platforms partner with clubs for official resales, while others operate in a legal grey area.

Types of Resale Platforms:

• Club-Sanctioned Resale Partners – Safe and reliable but limited availability.
• Large Resale Platforms (StubHub, Viagogo, SeatGeek) – Higher prices, Illegal & mixed reputation.
• Social Media & Classifieds (Facebook groups, Twitter, Craigslist) – Risky, often unregulated.
• Ticket Brokers – Individuals who buy and sell tickets for profit, often at high markups.

These platforms operate under different rules, and not all of them guarantee authenticity, so knowing which to trust is crucial.

Sometimes, it’s the only option. If you missed out on general sale or the game never made it that far, resale is the last resort. Here’s why fans turn to it:

• Sold-Out Matches – If a club’s ticket sale structure shuts you out, resale is the next step.
• Last-Minute Decisions – Didn’t plan ahead? Resale might be your only bet.
• Better Seat Options – Some resale listings offer prime locations unavailable through the club.

Lack of Memberships – Many clubs require memberships to even access tickets, making resale the alternative.

Not all resale sites are created equal. Here’s the hierarchy of safety:

• Best Bet: Official club resale platforms.
• Up for debate but still risky: Major platforms with buyer guarantees.
• Proceed with Caution: Social media, small-scale resellers.
• Avoid at All Costs: Anyone asking for payment via bank transfer with no refund policy.

Buying from unauthorized platforms is not only risky—it can also mean you’re purchasing a ticket that could be voided at the stadium.

If you’re going resale, do it smartly:

• Prioritize Club Resale Platforms – Safest and often cheapest.
• Don’t use Illegal sites - There is a reason so many of these platforms are banned. If you want to buy resale it is worth spending that little bit extra. There is no worse feeling then turning up at the turnstile and getting turned away. 

Sign Up for Football Ticket Pro Alerts – Avoid resale altogether by getting tickets direct from the club.

The best platforms ensure legitimacy through:

• Partnering with Clubs – Some resellers are club-approved, meaning their tickets are valid.
• Buyer Protection Policies – If a ticket is fake, platforms like StubHub claim they will refund you, but you are not legally protected. 
• Barcode Verification – Some sites claim to use secure transfers to prevent duplicates (e.g. TicketSwap).
• Secure Digital Transfers – Some clubs issue digital-only tickets such as NFC to prevent fraud.

Still, scams happen. Always check the site’s policy before purchasing.

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Scammers have a playbook. Here’s what to avoid:

• Duplicate Tickets – One barcode, multiple buyers.
• Fake Listings – Paying for a ticket that never arrives.
• Switched Seats – You pay for front row, but the seller swaps it for nosebleeds.
• Fake QR Codes – Some scammers generate QR codes that won’t scan at the stadium.

Social Media Scams – Fake accounts selling non-existent tickets (This is the most common).

Worst case scenario: you’re stuck at the turnstile while the match kicks off inside. Here’s what to do:

1. Try Customer Support – If you bought through a big platform, contact them ASAP.
2. Gather Evidence – Screenshots of receipts, ticket details, and seller info.
3. Report the Seller – On social media marketplaces, warn other buyers.

Use Your Chargeback Rights – If you paid by credit card, you may be able to dispute the transaction.

If a fixture moves, your ticket is usually still valid. However, if you can’t attend the new date:

• Official resale sites may allow re-listing.
• Platforms sometimes offer credit.
• Private sellers? You’re likely out of luck.