Liverpool will face AC Milan in their first Champions League game of the season next week, but surprisingly, Milan are finding it difficult to sell out the San Siro.
After a season away from Europe’s elite competition, the Reds will begin their Champions League campaign under new head coach Arne Slot with a trip to Milan on Tuesday, September 17.
This marks the second game in a demanding run of seven fixtures before the next international break interrupts the domestic season.
It also presents an early opportunity for Liverpool to secure points in the tournament’s new format.
Liverpool’s allocation for the game is 4,395 tickets, which are expected to sell out early this week.
However, AC Milan are facing a very different scenario, with thousands of unsold tickets still available at the iconic San Siro stadium.
Several factors seem to be contributing to this unusual situation. Milan’s sluggish start to the season, with two draws and a defeat, has dampened fan enthusiasm.
Additionally, the steep ticket prices are likely deterring many supporters.
The remaining tickets for the match, including hospitality options, range from €349 (£294) to €59 (£49).
For comparison, Liverpool’s most expensive standard ticket for European games this season is £61.
Italian sports daily Corriere dello Sport summed up the situation with the headline, “Liverpool is coming, but the fans are cold,” a sentiment that seems justified.
According to SempreMilan, a seat in the ‘Secondo Rosso’ section of the San Siro – the equivalent of Liverpool’s Upper Main Stand – costs €139 (£117) for the Champions League clash, compared to just €59 (£49) for Milan’s upcoming Serie A match in the same section.
In the family section, tickets against Liverpool are priced at €129 (£108), with the report noting that “a family of three or four doesn’t usually have €387/€516 to spend on ONE game.”
The rising cost of football tickets is a growing issue across Europe, and Milan are no exception.
Despite opening sales to the general public, the club has struggled to attract fans for this high-profile fixture.
The San Siro, which has a capacity of 75,923, is still far from being sold out for Liverpool’s visit.
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