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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Premier League's great ticket problem as new survey outlines problem 79% of fans face
The new Premier League season is here, and fans will be hoping to follow their favourite team home and away, but they may hit a stumbling block with regards to securing tickets A brand new survey of UK Premier League fans has highlighted how almost four in five struggle to secure tickets to watch their team. A new season is set to get underway on Friday evening, when champions Liverpool face Bournemouth at Anfield. While many football fans across the country will hope to follow their favourite team home and away this season, damning figures from a new LiveScore fan survey, which launched on Tuesday, have revealed that they may struggle to do so. The survey, commissioned by one of Europe's leading real-time scores apps, questioned more than 3,000 football fans on their experiences in 2025. LiveScore uncovered that just 21 per cent of Premier League fans agreed that it was easy to get tickets to watch the action live, with 81 per cent citing availability and pricing as the two biggest stumbling blocks. READ MORE: Man Utd star already had 'severe telling off' from Ruben Amorim's new leadership group That means that 79 per cent of Premier League fans, or almost four in every five, agreed that securing tickets is no easy feat. With 3pm on a Saturday remaining the most prominent time for Premier League fixtures, this is a big blow for English football fans, given blackout rules preventing games from being broadcast live at the time. The blackout rule was imposed in the 1960s to encourage fans to attend lower league games across the country, and it was protected in the last domestic TV rights deal, which will run until at least 2029. This means that no match can be televised between 2:45pm and 5:25pm on a Saturday until the deal expires. However, the enforcement of the rule has led broadcasters to schedule more matches at non-traditional kick-off times. As per LiveScore, Sky Sports' record-breaking exclusivity deal for this season will see the broadcaster increase live match coverage from 128 games to 215. Many of the additional fixtures are expected to be schedule for Monday and Friday nights, as well as Sundays. It also includes showing multiple 2pm kick-offs on a Sunday, which will often feature clubs participating in the Europa and Conference Leagues. And while it is clear that Sky Sports is working to broadcast as many games as possible by working around the blackout rule, there's still more work to be done with regards to increasing the frequency that fans can watch their team on TV, according to LiveScore and LiveScore Bet European Brand Ambassador, Dimitar Berbatov. In an exclusive interview with Mirror Football about LiveScore's findings, the former Tottenham, Manchester United and Fulham striker said: "Well, it's definitely a challenge, you know, especially with how many fans want to be part of the live experience, be at the stadium, supporting, getting all that emotion going through. "And I see, and when I travel a lot into Europe and spoke with the supporters, meeting fans, the demand is still massive. And it's going to be massive because football is the most popular sport in the world. "So it's great that the love for the game is so strong, but of course, it means that sometimes it's difficult to get a ticket. But again, I'm pretty sure that the clubs are always looking for a way to make that happen, improve access, and make sure that the loyal fans get their chance to go to the stadium." LiveScore's mission is to fuel fans' passion for sport - download the LiveScore app for real-time updates and go to for more information.
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic have Rangers to thank for getting on base and should be secretly hoping rivals avoid a European strikeout
Hoops fans will lap it up if Russell Martin's men are emptied from every European competition but it could make life harder The Celtic squad might be taking a scenic walk along the banks of beautiful Lake Como in Italy tonight. But they should be secretly cheering on their old chums Rangers in the Champions League qualifiers. Now, Celtic fans will be currently spluttering in their tea at the suggestion of wanting their fierce foes to win any game. But it doesn't get away from the fact it would be good for Celtic to have Rangers occupied in Europe every week – and preferable in the big boys playground of the Champions League group stage. There are probably Hoops punters who would be doing jigs and lighting fireworks if Gers got dumped out of the Champions League, then Europa and Conference Leagues before the groups even get going. But that shouldn't be a laughing matter. Rangers are in a rebuild right now and it's going to take time. Europe has been a major source of income – and joy – for Gers over the years. Yet this season it's a distraction. They need to get their act together on the home front for once and then go from there. Europe will put an even bigger strain on their squad and allow Celtic the space to get their own side in order and compete on several fronts. Of course, most folk associated with Celtic will say they don't give a jot about what happens across the city and the more misery the other lot suffer the better. It's fair enough. That's how rivalry works and there's nothing wrong with taking delight in the suffering of the other side. Football is built on tribalism. But bigger picture stuff it's not actually a good thing. And it's also not good for Celtic if Rangers do suffer three strikes and out in Europe. In case anyone at Parkhead hasn't noticed, a lot of the impressive work done by Gers in Europe helped them get direct entry into the Champions League group stages for three years on the bounce. It's not like Celtic have been hoovering up the coefficient points all over the shop and the way it's going, it's going to get a lot tougher in the next few years unless our clubs get wired right in and sharpish. And that's another reason why Celts should be hoping their blues brothers do the business. The early part of the season is going to be absolutely crucial and getting off to a flier is key. Last season Celts hit the ground running while Philip Clement was staggering around Hampden and talking about the real Rangers arriving in October. By that stage the title was already in the bag. Brendan Rodgers knows it as well and that's why he's got his side putting the foot down in pre-season. He'll never admit to cheering on his rivals but deep down he'll know that Rangers being occupied in Europe – and perhaps boosting the coefficient in the process – can only be good for business at his club.
Glasgow Times
04-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
John Lundstram and Borna Barisic facing Trabzonspor axe
The former Rangers pair joined the Turkish side on free transfers last summer but are now facing uncertain futures. Left-back Barisic has hardly featured, while midfielder Lundstram has been criticised for his performances. Reports in Turkey suggest Barisic's contract may even be terminated. Trabzonspor manager Fatih Tekke needs to cut seven players from his squad this summer due to a quota of 12 foreign players, with 14 currently in the squad and more returning from loans. The club are also planning to sign another five players in the transfer market. Read more: Russell Martin reveals he 'turned down a few jobs' before agreeing Rangers deal Rangers poised to announce Russell Martin as their new manager Barisic and the club are reportedly in discussions over cancelling his contract, while Lundstram, 31, is at risk of being moved on due to his age. Both players signed three-year deals with Trabzonspor last year, so their departures may not be straightforward. The team's disappointing European campaign, which saw them crash out of both the Europa and Conference Leagues, and a poor start to the league season have contributed to the need for a squad overhaul. However, they did manage to recover somewhat, finishing seventh in the league and reaching the final of the Turkish Cup. The team went through three permanent managers over the course of the season, with Tekke only appointed in March. Barisic's season was further disrupted by a loan move to Leganes in Spain in January, which was cut short by a serious injury in his first game. Ex-Man City star Stefan Savic, Edin Visca, and Anthony Nwakaeme are also said to be likely candidates for summer sales.
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Fans poke fun at ‘best team in Europe' Arsenal as they are 12th in Uefa's rankings behind MAN UTD
FANS are laughing at Arsenal after the Uefa rankings put them behind Manchester United. The Gunners fell narrowly short of silverware for the third season in a row as the Red Devils had their worst campaign in modern history. 3 Arsenal sit 12th in Uefa's coefficient league table Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 Despite a poor season, Man Utd remain ahead of them Credit: Getty After crashing out the Champions League to eventual winners PSG, Mikel Arteta claimed his team are the "best in Europe". But the coefficient league table disagrees and even has Arsenal below crisis club Man Utd. The rankings take into account each side's performance in the Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues over the last five years and it is used for seeding. Arsenal sit 12th overall with 98 points and Man Utd are 11th on 102.5. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL CHAMPING AT THE BIT Fergie arrives at CL final as his £2m-a-year Man Utd role ends The North Londoners' run to the Champions League semi-final this season earned them 36 points. But their score has been hindered by not appearing on the continent in 2020/21 and losing in the Europa League last-16 to Sporting Lisbon the following year. While Man Utd's performances across the five-year period have been more steady, featuring in every season. Despite victories in the Europa being less valuable than the Champions League, two runner-up finishes and a run to quarter-final is enough to prop them up just above Arsenal. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 And fans have mocked the Gunners, with one saying: "As if the best team in Europe isn't even ranked top ten." Another laughed: "Chelsea is still ahead of Arsenal despite not playing Champions League for two seasons." Jamie Carragher in huge row with Gary Neville over Arsenal title prediction and striker claim A third commented: "This can't be right, the best club in the world Arsenal are not there. They have been telling me all year they are the best the world has ever seen. Forget the trophies." The updated rankings have Real Madrid out on top on 143.5, narrowly ahead of Manchester City's 137.75. PSG's Champions League victory earned them 33.5 and rockets them to fifth. Chelsea got 30 from their Conference League glory and they can still count upon the 33 from Champions League success under Thomas Tuchel four years ago. Outside the top spots - Tottenham are 27th, West Ham sit 29th and Aston Villa place 46th. Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates
The Irish Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Fans poke fun at ‘best team in Europe' Arsenal as they are 12th in Uefa's rankings behind MAN UTD
FANS are laughing at Arsenal after the Uefa rankings put them behind Manchester United. The Gunners fell narrowly short of silverware for the third season in a row as the Red Devils had their worst campaign in modern history. 3 Arsenal sit 12th in Uefa's coefficient league table Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 Despite a poor season, Man Utd remain ahead of them Credit: Getty After crashing out the Champions League to eventual winners PSG, Mikel Arteta claimed his team are the " But the coefficient league table disagrees and even has The rankings take into account each side's performance in the Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues over the last five years and it is used for seeding. Arsenal sit 12th overall with 98 points and READ MORE IN FOOTBALL The North Londoners' run to the Champions League semi-final this season earned them 36 points. But their score has been hindered by not appearing on the continent in 2020/21 and losing in the Europa League last-16 to Sporting Lisbon the following year. While Man Utd's performances across the five-year period have been more steady, featuring in every season. Despite victories in the Europa being less valuable than the Champions League, two runner-up finishes and a run to quarter-final is enough to prop them up just above Arsenal. Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 And fans have mocked the Gunners, with one saying: "As if the best team in Europe isn't even ranked top ten." Another laughed: " Jamie Carragher in huge row with Gary Neville over Arsenal title prediction and striker claim A third commented: "This can't be right, the best club in the world Arsenal are not there. They have been telling me all year they are the best the world has ever seen. Forget the trophies." The updated rankings have Real Madrid out on top on 143.5, narrowly ahead of Chelsea got 30 from their Conference League glory and they can still count upon the 33 from Champions League success under Thomas Tuchel four years ago. Outside the top spots - Tottenham are 27th, West Ham sit 29th and Aston Villa place 46th. Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates
