The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) has urged the Premier League to intervene and conduct a thorough investigation into Todd Boehly’s involvement with the ticket resale platform, Vivid Seats. In an open letter addressed to the Premier League’s chief executive, Richard Masters, the CST reiterates a previous concern that Boehly’s dual role—as both a director and investor in Vivid Seats, while simultaneously holding a 13% ownership stake in Chelsea Football Club—constitutes a serious “breach of trust” and creates a “clear conflict of interest.”
The letter further highlights that Vivid Seats has been officially categorized as an “unauthorized ticketing website” by the Premier League. This designation is particularly concerning as it enables international fans to purchase Chelsea match tickets through unofficial means, with prices varying significantly from as low as £90 to as high as £20,000. In an effort to escalate the matter, the CST has also submitted relevant evidence to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), drawing attention to the American company’s operations.
Expressing the frustration of Chelsea supporters, the CST states in its letter: “Many CST members are deeply unsettled by this connection and have reached out to us to voice their concerns.” The letter further emphasizes that Boehly’s involvement with Vivid Seats actively undermines the efforts of Chelsea FC, the Premier League, and the Metropolitan Police in their ongoing battle against ticket touting and unauthorized resale practices.
The supporters’ group also notes that, despite multiple attempts to engage directly with Boehly and his representatives—whether through private discussions or public discourse—there has been no response. Meanwhile, tickets for Chelsea matches continue to be listed for resale on Vivid Seats, raising further questions about regulatory oversight and club policies.
Chelsea’s official website explicitly states that ticket touting is illegal, warning that any tickets purchased through unauthorized channels will be deemed “invalid.” As a result, any fan attempting to gain entry to Stamford Bridge with such a ticket risks being denied access to the stadium.
While Vivid Seats operates legally outside the United Kingdom, its services are restricted for UK-based users. However, despite these restrictions, BBC Sport has verified that individuals located in the UK can still access and purchase tickets through the platform. Although the website displays a pop-up message informing users that “tickets for EPL matches are not currently available for purchase in your location,” it appears that transactions are still being successfully processed.
BBC Sport has reached out to Chelsea FC, Todd Boehly’s representatives, and Vivid Seats for an official comment on the matter.
The CST’s letter, which has received backing from the Football Supporters’ Association, acknowledges and welcomes Chelsea’s recent initiatives aimed at tackling ticket touting. A recent email sent to season ticket holders outlines several measures that the club is implementing to combat the issue. However, the message notably omits any direct reference to Vivid Seats or other secondary ticket marketplaces.
Meanwhile, discussions surrounding the matchday experience at Stamford Bridge have gained traction, with concerns about a lackluster atmosphere being voiced by both former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino and newly appointed head coach Enzo Maresca. In response, the club plans to introduce a trial singing section during their upcoming Europa Conference League fixture against Legia Warsaw next month in an effort to reinvigorate crowd engagement.
