Newcastle Fans Upset Over School’s Barca Ticket Grab

Dundee School Secures 45 Newcastle v Barcelona Tickets, Fans Outraged

Newcastle United supporters have voiced frustration after it was revealed that 45 tickets for the Magpies’ sold-out Champions League clash with Barcelona were secured by a school in Dundee—despite thousands of die-hard fans missing out.

The High School of Dundee, nearly 200 miles away from Newcastle, bought the group tickets through an approved provider, according to a school spokesperson.

The game, set for 18 September at St James’ Park, marks Newcastle’s high-profile Group Stage opener in Europe’s elite competition. When general tickets went on sale Tuesday, over 110,000 fans flooded the online queue.

Supporters’ Trust: “It Stings”

Lisa Mole, chair of the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust (NUST), summed up the mood:

“We’re not saying we don’t want young fans in the stadium. But the ticketing situation is dire, and this adds fuel to the fire. Members pay a fee and still miss out—yet a school far from Newcastle gets 45 tickets. That stings.”

NUST emphasized the difficulty of obtaining tickets even for club members, many of whom were left empty-handed throughout last season’s ballot system.

How Did the School Get Tickets?

While Newcastle United themselves did not directly supply the tickets to the school, the High School of Dundee was contacted by an “approved provider” offering a group package.

A school spokesperson confirmed:

“We were approached by an approved provider and purchased the tickets as part of a group package.”

This isn’t the school’s first European trip. They also attended Newcastle’s 2023 Champions League game against AC Milan.

Former Newcastle player David Burt, now a sports sales consultant for GB Sports Tours, added:

“It happens both ways. We’ve taken Newcastle-area schools to see Man City play—sometimes it’s about the experience.”

Ticket Breakdown & Ballot System

Newcastle’s Champions League ticketing has been split between:

• Season ticket holders in the Cup Scheme, who get automatic access.

• Ballots for members and season ticket holders not in the scheme.

• General sale access for club members (£37 adults, £20 kids).

Despite this structure, the demand far outstrips supply, especially for high-profile opponents like Barcelona.

Stadium Expansion on the Table

Given this latest controversy and continued ticketing chaos, club officials are reportedly exploring options to either expand St James’ Park or build a new stadium to meet demand.

While fans respect the value of exposing new generations to live matches, the feeling is clear: local, loyal Newcastle fans deserve priority—especially for a fixture as iconic as Barcelona under the lights.