Football supporters have been issued a stark warning over a significant rise in ticket fraud, with new data revealing victims are losing an average of £215, as criminals prepare to exploit the upcoming World Cup.

Lloyds Bank’s analysis indicates a staggering 36 per cent surge in football ticket scams during the current Premier League season. The findings, based on thousands of fraud cases between October 2025 and March 2026 compared to the previous year, highlight a growing threat to fans.

Fraudsters are specifically targeting supporters of top-tier clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United, alongside high-demand fixtures such as the FA Cup and Champions League Finals.

While the average victim loses £215, some have been defrauded of hundreds or even thousands for non-existent “season tickets” or VIP packages.

With the upcoming World Cup, Lloyds anticipates a significant escalation in these fraudulent activities, exploiting international demand.

Many scams originate on social media, where criminals advertise phantom tickets, pressuring victims into irreversible bank transfers before vanishing.

Tactics include fake waiting lists, counterfeit QR codes, and bogus “pre-release” offers designed to part people from their money.

The higher cost of World Cup tickets, coupled with international travel expenses, means potential losses for victims could be devastating.

In response, the Government and Lloyds are collaborating on the “Stop! Think Fraud” campaign, led by the Home Office, to raise awareness among football supporters.

Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, said: “Fraudsters thrive on urgency and target fans looking for hard-to-get tickets for big name fixtures.” She added: “It’s incredibly convincing, and we don’t want fans to lose their money trying to support their team. We’re urging supporters to stay alert and stick to official ticketing channels.”

Lord Hanson, minister for fraud, echoed this sentiment: “As excitement builds for the World Cup, fraudsters are preparing to exploit loyal fans searching for tickets.”

He urged: “I urge all football supporters hunting for tickets to Stop! Think Fraud and show fraudsters the red card.” He concluded: “Missing out on a big match is disappointing, but becoming a victim to a scam makes it even harder to bear.”

Earlier this year, the Government launched a new fraud strategy aimed at tackling the UK’s most commonly experienced crime.

To avoid falling victim to these scams, Ms Ziegler offers crucial advice:

Sean Strickland left everything in the octagon at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday night, upsetting Khamzat Chimaev to be named UFC middleweight champion once again for his career.

Chimaev, who had never lost a UFC fight in his 16-bout career, was a convincing favorite heading into this co-main event for UFC 328, but Strickland was named victor by split decision after five hard-fought rounds, where he revealed he wasn’t even at full health.

After having the belt put around his waist by Chimaev, Strickland said that he injured his shoulder sparring earlier in the week.

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Sean Strickland reacts after a split-decision victory against Khamzat Chimaev of Russia in the UFC middleweight championship fight during UFC 328 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on May 9, 2026. (Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)

“Funny story – on Tuesday, I’m sparring Johnny [Eblen], that motherf—–, PFL champ. I’m at Plinio Cruz’s gym. He shoots on me, and I hit his bricka—wall, and I separate my shoulder,” Strickland told reporters during hisi post-fight press conference. “So, I had a grade one AC join separation on Tuesday. I remember lying in bed on Tuesday night, and I can’t lie on my right side. I’m like, ‘You’re such a f—ing idiot. You’re such a f—ing idiot.”

Strickland added that he likes to have some better pre-fight warmups in the back dressing rooms, but he was unable to do so in fear that he might hurt his shoulder again. And a shoulder injury is never good against a wrestler, which Chimaev has shown to dominate in throughout his UFC career.

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Chimaev proved that in the first round, as he took down Strickland to the canvas just 15 seconds in. It was the dominant performance many believed would ensue at the Prudential Center between these two fighters.

That is until Strickland found some momentum in the second round, staying on his feet and landing strikes. From there, both fighters were trading blows, but the fifth round was when Strickland had an interesting moment with Chimaev.

Sean Strickland reacts after a split-decision victory against Khamzat Chimaev of Russia in the UFC middleweight championship fight during UFC 328 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on May 9, 2026. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

As both fighters were bloodied, Strickland said that Chimaev pointed to the mat near the end of the fifth round, which is a sign to fighters to start throwing haymakers. However, there’s usually an honor code with that – nothing else but punches and giving the fight crowd a show.

“He pointed at the mat and said, ‘Let’s give the people what they want, let’s have the man dance,’ or some s—. And I was like, ‘OK. I trust you, the guy that just kicked me in the balls yesterday. I trust you, Chimaev. You seem like a real trustworthy guy. I like your smile. We shook hands, I believe you.’

“So, I put my hands up, and he f—ing shoots at me.”

Sean Strickland punches Khamzat Chimaev of Russia during the UFC middleweight championship fight at UFC 328 in Newark, N.J., on May 9, 2026. (Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)

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While Strickland didn’t like the move, he and Chimaev were showing respect for one another during the match, and obviously the move by the latter after the match to pass the belt over to his opponent.

The 35-year-old Strickland is a polarizing figure in UFC, but he had the crowd raucously chanting “U-S-A!” over and over, especially after being named champion.

Barcelona secured their 29th Spanish league title after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in El Clasico on Sunday. Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres struck in the first half to help Hansi Flick’s side clinch La Liga in consecutive years, while consigning Madrid to a trophyless season. Barca moved an unassailable 14 points clear of second-place Los Blancos with three matches remaining. This was only the second time the outcome of La Liga has been decided directly by the result of a Clasico, with record 36-time champions Real Madrid winning their first title in 1932 after a draw with Barca.

Madrid arrived at the match embroiled in chaos, after midfielder Fede Valverde was ruled out with a head injury following a training ground bust-up with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni, who started.

Barca coach Flick received bad news before the game, with his father passing away, but took his place on the touchline regardless, to oversee his side’s comfortable triumph.

The German opted for the energetic Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, on the right wing in place of injured teenage star Lamine Yamal.

The Catalans, who only needed to avoid defeat, came out with their eyes firmly locked on the prize, racing into a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes.

Rashford opened the scoring with a superb free-kick, whipping the ball into the top left corner from a position 20 yards out, right of centre.

Torres doubled the hosts’ advantage at a jubilant Camp Nou, the 62,000-strong crowd enjoying the first Clasico back there since the stadium was reopened.

Dani Olmo produced a clever backheel to allow Torres to burst into the box and ram past Thibaut Courtois.

Gonzalo Garcia, playing in place of injured Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe, prodded narrowly wide after racing in behind Barca’s high defensive line.

– Stem the bleeding –

Urged on by coach Alvaro Arbeloa on the touchline, unlikely to be at the helm next season, Madrid battled to stem the bleeding.

Rashford could have added a third before the break but fired wide, with Fermin Lopez unmarked and well placed to finish.

Torres should have struck early in the second half but Courtois saved from the Spain international as he ran through.

Jude Bellingham put the ball in Barcelona’s net but the goal was ruled out for offside, while Joan Garcia thwarted Vinicius Junior as Madrid threatened.

Barca fans batted inflatable beach balls around to taunt the Brazilian over his unfulfilled Ballon d’Or ambitions, and lapped up the party atmosphere.

Courtois saved from substitutes Raphinha, back after injury, and Robert Lewandowski as Madrid saw out the remainder of the match without taking further damage.

Flick’s side remain on course to match the record of 100 points in a league season and can win all their home matches if they defeat Real Betis in the one remaining.

Meanwhile Madrid finish a second consecutive season without a major trophy, staring down the barrel of a summer reshuffle, including former coach Jose Mourinho being linked with a potential return.

What is clear is that for now president Florentino Perez cannot seem to find the solution to end Flick’s Barca’s domestic domination.

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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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