Manchester United’s proposal to introduce personal seat licences (PSLs) to help fund a £2bn Old Trafford redevelopment may face major obstacles after the UK government announced new measures to curb ticket touting.
PSLs — common in US sports — were being explored by United as a way for supporters to buy the long-term right to a specific premium seat, separate from the cost of a season ticket. Crucially, the model under consideration allowed licence holders to resell seats at a profit.
But the government has now confirmed it will legislate to ban the resale of sports and music tickets above face value, effectively shutting down any profitable secondary market. Although football tickets are already protected under the 1994 Criminal Justice Act, senior government figures have signalled they would oppose United creating a resale system for PSLs.
United have been conducting extensive fan consultation through CSL International, but the project is still in the early stages. While PSLs could still go ahead without resale profit, such restrictions would likely make them less attractive and may force United to rethink pricing — reports suggested licences could cost about £4,000 for 30 years.
PSLs would apply only to premium seating in the rebuilt stadium, offering supporters guaranteed long-term seat locations — a major concern after years of relocations. However, if a licence holder fails to renew their season ticket, they would automatically lose the licence.
Unlike debentures at Wimbledon or Twickenham, which operate as repayable loans, PSLs would be outright purchases and therefore more tightly scrutinised under anti-touting rules.
United have not commented publicly but have indicated they will follow all new legislative requirements.
