Europa League ticket rules set out as Sunderland eye multi-million Stadium of Light boost | OneFootball

Sunderland’s Europa League return brings fresh UEFA ticketing rules. They cover away allocations, pricing caps, VIP quotas and commercial restrictions.

According to Sunderland Echo, home clubs must reserve at least five per cent of UEFA spectator capacity for away fans, about 2,400 at roughly 48,000. Visiting tickets cannot exceed comparable home adult prices or €35, roughly £30.

Away clubs may return unsold tickets without payment up to seven days before kick-off, after that they pay for the full allocation. Sunderland can reissue any returns subject to safety and segregation, and not to visiting supporters.

Visitors are entitled to 200 top-category seats, 50 free. UEFA representatives, the visiting club and its association receive complimentary VIP seats with hospitality, while UEFA and partners also have purchase rights for additional tickets.

Tickets cannot be used for promotions or travel packages without UEFA approval, and designs need sign-off. Attendees accept standard UEFA media and broadcast conditions.

Up to and including the semi-finals each club keeps its gate receipts and covers its own costs. The final is run by UEFA, which does not affect Sunderland’s four guaranteed league phase home dates.

On back-of-an-envelope maths, four home games at roughly 48,000 give about 192,000 tickets. A five per cent away end at around £30 could raise about £72,000 per match, around £288,000 overall, leaving roughly 45,600 home seats. At average home prices of £25, £30, £35, £40, £45 or £50, gross sales could be about £4.85million, £5.76million, £6.67million, £7.58million, £8.5million or £9.4million.

Source: Sunderland Echo