Liverpool and Merseyside Police step up crackdown on ticket touts as hundreds of lifetime bans issued

Liverpool have intensified their battle against ticket touting after a major joint operation with Merseyside Police uncovered the scale of illegal ticket sales.

The campaign has already resulted in millions of pounds worth of criminal assets being targeted and hundreds of supporters receiving lifetime bans.

£1.2m seized as Liverpool crack down on ticket touting problem

Liverpool and Merseyside Police have expanded their joint efforts to tackle ticket touting, with more than £1.2 million in criminal assets seized as part of an ongoing investigation into organised illegal ticket sales.

Working alongside the club's investigations team, Merseyside Police's economic crime unit has pursued proceeds under the Proceeds of Crime Act, while three criminal touting cases linked to Liverpool have reached the courts over the past year.

Two have already resulted in convictions, with another case due to be heard next month.

The club's own investigations have also intensified. During the 2025-26 season, Liverpool analysed almost 700,000 ticket registrations, blocking or cancelling more than 67,000 suspected fake accounts and placing over 121,000 more under investigation.

That work led to 432 lifetime bans and a further 115 indefinite suspensions, with the overwhelming majority issued for the unauthorised sale of season tickets, memberships or hospitality packages.

Liverpool also reported a 33% increase in burner phones being identified or seized on matchdays, while targeted checks at turnstiles rose dramatically from 381 to 3,608 across the season.

Meanwhile, 3,847 suspiciously obtained tickets were cancelled and returned to general sale, helping more genuine supporters gain access to Anfield Stadium.

FGG says: A clear message to ticket touts ahead of 2026/27

The scale of Liverpool's enforcement operation underlines just how seriously the club is taking ticket touting ahead of the new season.

Combining club investigations with police action sends a strong warning that illegal ticket sales can carry both sporting and criminal consequences.

Protecting genuine supporters is becoming an increasing priority across football. Liverpool's latest figures suggest clubs are investing far greater resources into tackling a problem that has affected supporters for years.