£400k cost of ScotGov Euro 2028 ticket tout ban that 'won't work'

The Herald Scotland

24-05-2025

Scotland is set to host at least two group stage matches of Euro 2028 at Hampden Park in Glasgow but the Scottish Government believes it has to issue new laws to allow Scottish courts to levy fines on those who resell tickets for profit.
Although the exact number of matches Scotland will host is yet to be finalised by the governing body of European football UEFA, Hampden Park will be the sole Scottish venue for the tournament. The nation hosted four matches at Euro 2020.
But for Scotland to co-host Euro 2028 as part of a joint UK and Ireland championship, the Scottish Government will have to bring in new commercial rights protections over and above that which already exists in law.
The bill will temporary ban the ticket touting - or the unauthorised sale of tournament tickets above face value cost for profit.
Under the proposed new laws touts who resell tickets for the Glasgow matches could face fines of up to £20,000.
But it will not prevent people from outwith Scotland trading in the tickets - with enforcement action only possible for those briefs that are touted within the country.
It has further emerged that the rules would allow UEFA to continue to resell tickets through its own platforms.
Euro 2028Finlay Swan, associate solicitor at Holmes Mackillop in his examination of the bill seen by ministers said it will not go far enough to sustain the integrity of the event and fails to target the "true culprits - the international faceless syndicates bulk-buying tickets with a view to profit".
Katy Clark, Scottish Labour's shadow community safety minister said there should be a blanket ban on ticket touting.
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Premier Scots promoters, DF Concerts & Events also called for a consumer law to be introduced that banned ticket touts across all industries including sports and music events.
It has emerged that the costs of implementing the rules estimated by ministers will be between £320,000 to £440,000 in total between April 2026 and February 2030 with around half of that spent on the Scottish Government's estimated administrative costs for the bill's implementation. It also estimates that city council enforcement action will amount to between £60,000 and £110,000.
It is believed that further costs of enforcing the rules could take the public cost even higher.
Mr Swan stated: "Yes, it is a good thing that the Bill will hinder individuals and small groups from buying a few tickets, to then immediately re-sell them for profit via social media and other platforms.
'Yes, it will quell the tout lurking outside Hampden mentioning in passing that he needs to give up a ticket or two. But frankly, are these types of touts really the big concern for your everyday football fan trying to see their national team? I do not think so.'
He said the growing concern over the past ten years has been the ability of massive household-name entities "gobbling up" batches of tickets upon initial sale and then selling them on at inflated prices.
'The Bill simply does not address this particular group, and even if it did, a penalty of up to £20,000 is a drop in the ocean for these entities,' he said.
'If the Scottish Government wants to prevent monopolisation of ticket sales, it will need to introduce further restrictions on bulk buying and resale fees.
'Touts have contributed to the pricing-out of fans from the game, and so whilst this bill does have the right intentions, I fear it is aimed at a problem from a bygone-era – the man outside the ground waving a couple of tickets in the air – rather than the true culprits, the international faceless syndicates bulk-buying tickets with a view to profit. As a lifelong football fan, I know who I would rather the government targeted."
(Image: Alan Harvey - SNS Group) If passed the bill will also restrict street trading, such as burger vans and outdoor advertising within event zones in Glasgow, in line with commercial rights held by UEFA, the ruling body of European football.
The requirements for hosting matches at Hampden will meant that only UEFA-approved traders can trade around the stadium and other event zones.
The UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill would allow for unlimited fines possible for the most serious offences.
The laws would be automatically repealed on at the end of 2028, after the tournament is finished.
According to the Scottish Government, Euro 2028 will showcase Scotland internationally and is predicted to generate socioeconomic benefits of up to £2.6bn - across UK and Ireland.
According to its analysis of the whether to introduced the laws, it decided that doing nothing "would risk Scotland being unable to host any matches, reducing the anticipated economic and social benefit from Euro 2028."
Its analysis stated: "This could also cause reputational damage to Scotland which might adversely impact any bids to host future mega events."
Scottish Labour shadow community safety minister Katy Clark said: "Ticket touting is a disgraceful practice that sees sports fans and concert goers ripped off by being made to pay hugely over the odds to attend matches and events.
"There must be a full crackdown on touts and rogue traders who want to prey on hard-pressed football fans at Euro 2028.
"However, it's not enough to bring in these restrictions just for the few weeks of Scotland jointly staging Euro 2028.
"There needs to be a permanent ban on ticket touting at all sports and entertainment venues in Scotland.
Euro 2028 (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire) "It's vital that there are no loopholes and that the public is properly and permanently protected from ticket rip-offs."
Hampden Park, a 52,000 capacity stadium, was host to three group games and a round of 16 tie at Euro 2020 - held in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was the first time the Scotland men's national team had qualified for a major tournament in more than 20 years.
For Euro 2028, nine venues across the four joint host countries of England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will stage the 24-team tournament.
Six stadiums in England - Wembley, Etihad Stadium, Anfield, Villa Park, Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium and St James' Park in Newcastle - will host games in 2028.
Dublin's Aviva Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff make up the list.
Business minister Richard Lochhead said about the legislation: 'Hosting Euro 2028 is an opportunity for Scotland to shine globally and to welcome thousands of fans to our cities, pubs, restaurants, hotels and communities.
'Our reputation for hosting major sporting and cultural events is known the world over. Hosting one of the most prestigious sporting events is an opportunity to truly cement this legacy.
'Our legislation intends to sustain the integrity of this world-class sporting event and enables us to grab the economic opportunities of the Euros by meeting our obligations as a host nation.
'That's why we want to tackle unscrupulous ticket touts and uphold our duties to UEFA as a privileged host nation.'
A Scottish Government spokesman said: The UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill is essential to tackle ticket touting and to meet UEFA's other commercial rights protection requirements, ensuring the tournament can be hosted here.
'The Bill sets out that the touting offence applies if a ticket is sold above face value or with a view to making a profit to act as a deterrent to touting online including public internet sites, private sales and in person, supporting fair access to tickets and helping ensure public confidence in the event.'