Chelsea will be able to sell some tickets again without cashing in on any of the proceeds after the UK Government made a change to its licence, which is in place following the sanctioning of Russian owner Roman Abramovich.
Under the sanctions, only season-ticket holders and fans that had bought tickets before they were put in place could attend home games, as the English Premier League club could no longer make any financial gain from selling tickets or merchandise. Russian oligarch Abramovich also had assets frozen because of his ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who ordered the invasion of Ukraine in late February.
Chelsea were granted a special licence that would allow the club to continue running, paying staff and fulfilling fixtures while under the sanctions.
However, the UK Government has now said that Chelsea can sell tickets to away games, cup matches and women’s fixtures.
The change to the licence has also allowed Abramovich’s company Fordstam Ltd to pay out £30m ($40/€36m) towards Chelsea’s running costs, with increased allowances for the club’s travel.
Chelsea will now be able to sell tickets for the club’s Champions League quarter-final home game against Spanish club Real Madrid on April 6, and the FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on April 16. Chelsea Women’s next Super League home match is against Reading on April 3.
Away fans can purchase tickets for Premier League games at Stamford Bridge, but the revenue will go to the Premier League before being distributed to relevant parties. Chelsea is still unable to sell tickets to its own fans for home Premier League games, but supporters can purchase tickets to away games, with the money going to the host club.
Chelsea has requested that ticketing proceeds from the Premier League are donated towards relief efforts in Ukraine.