Premier League Queries Chelsea Over Ticket Platform

The Premier League has officially contacted Chelsea FC requesting clarification around the club’s ties to Vivid Seats—a secondary ticketing outlet associated with co-owner Todd Boehly.

Boehly, who holds a 13% stake in Chelsea, also serves as a director and investor in Vivid. The ticketing site markets Chelsea games on its platform, and although it is barred from operating in the UK, it is active abroad. Last season, listings for matches at Stamford Bridge soared as high as £20,000.

The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust urged the league to investigate the arrangement back in March, calling it “a breach of trust” and “a clear conflict of interest” in an open letter.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters confirmed last week at a Football Supporters’ Association gathering that engagement with Chelsea over the matter is “ongoing.”

The Supporters’ Trust has also forwarded details to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, aiming to flag concerns beyond just football governance.

Despite being asked for comment, Boehly, Chelsea, and Vivid have yet to respond publicly.

Vivid’s CEO Stanley Chia spoke to Sportico, linking this year’s 61% drop in the company’s share price to “economic and political volatility” impacting demand across global ticketing markets.

While Chelsea addressed the ticketing issue in broad terms recently—vowing to act against touting—they did not reference Vivid or other specific resellers. The Supporters’ Trust said that statement offered some encouragement but still lacked direct action.

The mood at Stamford Bridge has also become a point of discussion in recent times. Former manager Mauricio Pochettino and new head coach Enzo Maresca both remarked on a subdued crowd atmosphere during parts of the season—a concern that prompted trials of a designated singing section at Europa Conference League fixtures.

Chelsea are currently Stateside, preparing to play Tunisia’s ES Tunis in the Club World Cup in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.