Newcastle United announce they have identified 1,001 ticket touts | OneFootball

Newcastle United have revealed that they’ve identified 1,001 ticket touts.

Senior club staff met members of their officially appointed FAB (Fan Advisory Board) for the most recent meeting on 21 May 2025 and now the minutes of that meeting have been released.

Included in the minutes was an ‘Unauthorised Ticket Sales’ update.

The minutes making public that when the club reviewed their 2024/25 statistics, they claim that during this last season they found 1,001 ticket touts on their ticketing system.

Newcastle United also say that 92,000 ‘bot attacks’ were prevented.

The club adding that 342 Newcastle United memberships have been cancelled for the 2025/26 season and that 158 people are to be ‘checked upon their next purchase due to triggering certain flags.’

From the minutes of the Newcastle United FAB (Fans Advisory Board) meeting on 21 May 2025:

Discussed key identifiers of ticket touting including speed/ rate of buying, irregular buying, social media posts, people who aren’t ticket holder enquiring about certain tickets.

NUFC are implementing checks to start to build cases against suspicious buyers. CP [Chris Parkinson – Head of NUFC ticketing] highlighted that the majority of times when an ID check is conducted it is not right person who purchased the ticket.

CP discussed process of gathering evidence and sanctions. NUFC currently cancel membership/season tickets and refuse repurchase if found to be reselling tickets.

The club is working to ensure that those who have suffered with fake tickets get their money back. CP showed standard breach correspondence sent to those who have breached the ticketing terms. NUFC confirmed that the club is bringing in a sanctions and appeals process.

The Club also confirmed that a dedicated staff member is being recruited specifically to target cases of unauthorised ticket sales.

In respect of the action taken by the club, from a review of the 24/25 statistics, from current ticket system highlighted the below:

1001 people highlighted on the ticketing system as ticket touts

158 people to be checked upon their next purchase due to triggering certain flags.

342 memberships cancelled for the 2025/26 season

92K bot attacks prevented’

Unlike many other Premier League clubs, Newcastle United don’t have a season ticket waiting list, maybe that is going to change, sometime…

Season Ticket Waiting List – next steps

The Fan Advisory Board (FAB) will work to develop a season ticket waiting list system that benefits supporters, ensuring a clear process for allocation if season tickets become available.

Another matter raised in the FAB minutes was a ‘Legal Update’.

John Devine is the club’s head of legal matters and he has ‘reminded’ the Newcastle United supporters who are on the FAB, that what is said in meetings with the club is confidential and shouldn’t be repeated to others who aren’t part of the meetings…

Legal Update

JD [John Devine) provided an update on governance. There was a discussion regarding the set of terms of reference (of the FAB) and the requirement for all members to adhere to the code of conduct.

JD reiterated the importance of confidentiality as part of this and provided a reminder that each FAB member, whether representing an organisation or acting in an individual capacity, is required to sign and adhere to the terms of the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) they signed on being appointed to the FAB.

One of the fundamental requirements of each of the NDA and Code of Conduct is that all members do not share confidential information disclosed by the club at FAB meetings.

All FAB members require advance clearance from the club before sharing externally any confidential information which is discussed/shared by the club with FAB which for FAB member organisations includes sharing with their respective boards and/or wider membership. This allows the club to be able to have open and productive discussion of issues at FAB meetings.

JD provided a reminder that where there is any doubt, any concerns should be raised with FAB co-chairs/the club, as there is a protocol in place which must be observed. JD also commented that the club will need to consider the sensitivity of certain information presented at FAB meetings and this may mean, in practice, that certain information may only be shared with FAB members who are present in person at FAB meetings (not over a video call).