Football fans have been urged to stay on alert when purchasing matchday tickets online, as new figures reveal that ‘ruthless’ scammers have swindled supporters out of an estimated £2.5 million over the past two years.

An estimate from one of the UK’s “Big Four” banks, Lloyds Bank, estimates that over 12,000 football supporters have fallen victim to ticket scams over the past two seasons, with its customers alone losing around £500,000. When extended nationwide, that figure climbs to an estimated £2.5 million.

Liz Ziegler, the fraud prevention director at Lloyds Bank, warned that scammers are taking advantage of the excitement that comes with a new football season. “It’s easy to get swept up in the buzz of a new season, but scammers are banking on that excitement,” she said. With ticket demand often higher than supply, she explained that fraudsters exploit the situation by offering fake tickets to unsuspecting fans.

Ziegler also pointed out that social media continues to be the main hotspot for these scams, adding, “Social media is the main breeding ground for ticket scams, and it’s time these firms cracked down on the fraudsters lurking on their platforms.”

The scams frequently present themselves as appealing deals for sold-out matches and big fixtures, often advertised on social media with phrases such as “first-come, first-served.” Although these listings seem authentic, they are intended to exploit fans desperate for last-minute tickets. Last season, victims typically lost about £218 each.

To address the rising trend, a new campaign called Stop! Think Fraud has been launched to raise awareness around online purchase scams. 

The initiative is backed by the UK government, Lloyds Bank, law enforcement, and partners in banking and technology, urging people to double-check before making payments, especially when buying match tickets.

“Fraud is a ruthless crime that preys on our passions, our trust, and our excitement,” said Lord Hanson, the minister for fraud. He noted that over three-quarters of these scams start on social media, warning fans not to fall for fake urgency tactics.

Football supporters are advised to only buy tickets from official club websites, verified partners, or trusted resale outlets.

The most common targets in the Premier League were supporters of Liverpool, followed by supporters of Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea. Outside of England, football fans of Rangers, Celtic, and Wrexham have been victims of fraudulent acts.

The most vulnerable supporters were younger ones, particularly those between the ages of 25 and 34, closely followed by those between the ages of 18 and 24. To curb touting and improve fraud prevention, the 2026–2027 Premier League will implement new regulations requiring 70% of tickets to be distributed digitally.