Arsenal Fixtures: How to Buy Tickets for Matches

So you've been refreshing the Arsenal website, checking fixture dates, and dreaming of being in the North Bank when the team walks out. But then reality hits: getting a ticket to the Emirates can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned Gooner who's hit a wall, I've been there, and I know the frustration. Let's walk through the common hurdles and how to clear them—step by step.

Problem 1: You Can't Even Find the Ticket Sale Date

This is the most common headache. You know the fixture—say, the North London Derby—but when you log into the official site, there's no clear "buy now" button. Instead, you're met with a message like "on sale soon" or worse, nothing at all.

Why it happens: Ticket release dates aren't always plastered on the homepage. They're typically found under the Tickets section, and for high-demand matches, they go on sale in phases based on membership status.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Check your membership tier first. If you're a Red Member, you'll get an email with the sale date usually 2–3 weeks before the match. Make sure your email preferences are set to receive club communications—check your account settings under "My Profile."
2. Go directly to the fixture page. On the Arsenal website, click "Tickets" then "Match Tickets." Find the specific match from the list. The sale date and time will be listed there, not on the main news feed.
3. Use the official Arsenal app. Many fans find the app updates faster than the website. Enable push notifications for ticket news.
4. If still unclear, call the box office. The phone number is on the contact page. Be patient—wait times spike before big games.

When to escalate: If the sale date has passed and you never saw it, and the match is now marked "sold out," your best bet is the official Ticket Exchange (more on that below). Avoid unofficial resale sites claiming to have "guaranteed" tickets—they're often overpriced or invalid.

Problem 2: You're in the Queue, But It Freezes or Kicks You Out

You've done everything right. You logged in at 10:00 AM sharp, the countdown hit zero, and then... the spinning wheel of doom. Or worse, you got a "session expired" message.

Why it happens: High-demand matches can crash the ticketing system. Arsenal's platform uses a virtual waiting room, and if thousands of fans hit "buy" at the same second, the server can struggle.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Don't refresh the page. I know it's tempting, but refreshing can reset your queue position. Wait at least 5 minutes. The system often recovers.
2. Use a stable internet connection. If you're on mobile data in a crowded area, switch to Wi-Fi. A wired connection is best if you're at home.
3. Clear your browser cache and cookies before the sale. This prevents old session data from conflicting. Do this 10 minutes before the sale starts.
4. Try a different browser. Chrome sometimes has issues with Arsenal's ticketing portal. Safari or Firefox can work better. Avoid using incognito mode—it can block the session cookies.
5. If you get a "session expired" message, log out completely, then log back in. Your queue position might be lost, but you can try again for any remaining tickets.

When to escalate: If the system crashes for more than 15 minutes and you see other fans on social media reporting the same issue, contact the box office. They may extend the sale time or offer a second chance window. Don't give up immediately—sometimes tickets reappear as others abandon their carts.

Problem 3: The Match Is Sold Out, But You Still Want to Go

This is the classic scenario: you missed the initial sale, or the fixture is a Category A+ game (think Liverpool, Tottenham, or a Champions League knockout). The official site says "sold out." But there's still hope.

Why it happens: Arsenal operates a Ticket Exchange system where season ticket holders and members who can't attend can list their seats for resale at face value. It's the only official secondary market.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Go to the specific match page on the Arsenal website. Look for a button that says "Ticket Exchange" or "Resale." This appears once the initial sale is over, usually 1–2 weeks before the match.
2. You need to be a Red Member or above to access the Exchange. If you're not a member, you'll need to sign up first. Membership fees vary by season and are set by the club.
3. Tickets appear sporadically. Don't expect all seats to show up at once. Check the Exchange multiple times a day, especially in the 48 hours before the match. Season ticket holders often list their seats last minute.
4. Be flexible with your seat location. You might end up in the upper tier or behind the goal, but you'll be in the stadium. Set a budget and stick to it.
5. If the Exchange shows "no tickets available," keep refreshing. I've seen tickets pop up at 11 PM the night before a match.

When to escalate: If the Exchange is empty and the match is still days away, consider that it might genuinely be sold out. In that case, your options are limited. Avoid unofficial resale sites for Arsenal matches—the club has warned that tickets bought from non-official sources can be cancelled at the gate. If you're desperate, the only safe alternative is to look for hospitality packages on the official site, but those start at several hundred pounds.

Problem 4: You Bought a Ticket, But the QR Code Won't Scan

You've made it to the Emirates, you're buzzing, and then the turnstile reader rejects your digital ticket. Embarrassing? Yes. Fixable? Absolutely.

Why it happens: Digital tickets can have display issues—low screen brightness, a cracked screen, or the QR code being too small. Sometimes the system has a glitch and the ticket isn't activated properly.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Increase your screen brightness to maximum. The turnstile scanners need a clear, bright QR code. If you're in direct sunlight, shade the screen with your hand.
2. Zoom in on the QR code. The ticket in your Arsenal app or wallet might show the code small. Pinch to zoom so it fills most of the screen.
3. Try a different turnstile. Not all scanners work perfectly. Walk to the next gate and try again. Stewards are usually nearby to help.
4. If it still fails, open the ticket in the official Arsenal app. Sometimes the wallet version has a glitch. Log into your account on the app, go to "My Tickets," and generate the QR code fresh.
5. Last resort: go to the box office window at the stadium. They can reissue your ticket or print a paper version. Bring ID and your booking reference number.

When to escalate: If the box office says your ticket was cancelled or is invalid, and you bought it from a third party, you've likely been scammed. The club won't help in that case. Always buy from official channels only.

Problem 5: You're Trying to Buy for a Group, But the System Limits You

You and three mates want to sit together, but the website keeps saying "maximum 1 ticket per member" or "seats not adjacent."

Why it happens: Arsenal's system links tickets to individual memberships. For most matches, each member can buy one ticket. To sit together, you need to link your accounts in a "network" before the sale.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Set up a supporter network in advance. Log into your Arsenal account, go to "My Network," and add the membership numbers of your friends. You need to do this at least 24 hours before the sale starts.
2. One person buys for the group. When purchasing, select "Buy for my network." The system will try to allocate adjacent seats. It's not guaranteed, but it's the only way to maximize your chances.
3. If seats aren't adjacent, don't panic. Sometimes the system offers seats in the same block but different rows. You can accept that and try to swap seats with other fans on the day, or contact the box office to see if they can adjust.
4. For very high-demand matches, consider buying separate tickets. It's better to get into the stadium than to miss out entirely. You can meet up inside.

When to escalate: If the network feature isn't working and you've followed all steps, call the box office. They can sometimes manually link accounts or advise on the best approach for your specific match.

When to Call a Specialist (The Box Office)

Sometimes, no amount of troubleshooting will fix the issue. Here are the scenarios where you should pick up the phone or email the club's ticket office:

• You've been charged but haven't received a confirmation email. Check your spam folder first. If it's not there after 24 hours, contact the box office with your payment reference.
• Your membership has expired or is inactive. You can't buy tickets without an active membership. The box office can help you renew or check your status.
• You're trying to buy accessible tickets. These have a separate process and are not available through the standard online system. Call the disability liaison officer directly.
• The match is rescheduled. If a fixture date changes, your ticket should automatically transfer, but if you can't make the new date, you'll need to request a refund or exchange through the box office.

Getting a ticket to see the Gunners at the Emirates is a rite of passage, but it doesn't have to be a nightmare. Plan ahead, keep your membership active, and always use official channels. If you hit a snag, the steps above should cover most common issues. And remember: the Ticket Exchange is your best friend for sold-out matches.

For more details on upcoming matches, check out the full Arsenal fixtures and results page. If you're planning for the 2024/25 season, our Premier League fixture guide has all the key dates. And if you're eyeing a specific rivalry, here's everything you need to know about Arsenal vs Liverpool fixtures.

Now go get that ticket—see you at the Emirates!