Crystal Palace have moved to disable ticket sharing for their final-day Premier League clash with Arsenal in an attempt to prevent away fans infiltrating the home sections at Selhurst Park, the club has announced.
The measure, which limits the unauthorised transfer of tickets to other supporters, is part of a wider security crackdown designed to stop Gunners fans buying seats in Palace’s home end. With Arsenal needing only a point to be crowned champions on Sunday 24 May, demand for tickets — particularly among visiting supporters — is expected to be exceptionally high.
Security crackdown at Selhurst Park
Palace have outlined a series of enhanced security measures for the fixture. In addition to disabling ticket sharing, tickets will only be available to supporters who registered their CPFC accounts before 1 December 2025. All fans will be subject to enhanced searches upon entry and are strongly advised to arrive as early as possible to facilitate smooth access.
The club is also enforcing a strict small-bag policy: only bags no larger than A4 size — approximately 21cm by 29.7cm — are permitted. Essential medical provisions, equipment and baby-changing items are exempt but require prior notification. A wide range of prohibited items includes bags that do not meet the policy, bottles over 500ml, glass containers, cans, flasks, food (though discretion may be applied), umbrellas over one metre and larger laptop sleeves. Sniffer dogs will be present at turnstiles, and anyone found with illegal substances or pyrotechnics will be handed over to the Metropolitan Police.
Selhurst Park operates as a cashless stadium, with no cash accepted at food and drink outlets, including in the away end. In the away section itself — the Arthur Wait Stand, blocks R, S and T, where Arsenal have received an allocation of 2,687 tickets — Palace have a zero-tolerance policy on standing in designated rows, and persistent standing will be managed by stewards.
Why the measures have been introduced
The decision follows scenes at Arsenal’s 1-0 win away to West Ham last weekend, when groups of Arsenal supporters were spotted sitting in the home end at the London Stadium. After Leandro Trossard’s late winner, clips surfaced on social media supposedly showing Arsenal fans in the home section being pushed down a flight of stairs as they celebrated. The disruption has prompted Palace to act pre-emptively.
The match carries huge significance in the title race. Arsenal lead the Premier League and could seal the championship on the final day at Selhurst Park, a scenario that naturally drives demand among their travelling support. Palace, meanwhile, face a complicating factor: the game falls just three days before the club’s UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano. Manager Oliver Glasner has said his priority is Crystal Palace’s best interests and that he is not responsible for the title‑race implications for Arsenal or Manchester City, though he has indicated that securing Premier League safety is a priority before finalising plans for the Arsenal match.
The broader context of fan behaviour in English football is also relevant. Since the 2022-23 season, stricter measures have been in place to tackle pitch invasions, pyrotechnics, object throwing, drug use and discriminatory behaviour, with offenders facing club bans, police action, criminal records and potential prison sentences. New policies introduced for the 2023-24 season specifically target football tragedy abuse. Clubs are empowered to issue bans that can extend to parents or guardians of underage offenders. The move towards digital ticketing across the Premier League is also intended to reduce touting and ensure that only supporters who have completed correct point-of-sale checks gain access. Historical incidents — such as the 1985 Tyne-Wear derby at Roker Park, where hundreds of Newcastle fans occupied Sunderland’s home end — underline the long-standing challenge of segregation.
Arsenal themselves have taken action against abusive and discriminatory behaviour among their own supporters, banning fans for offences including racism, homophobia, assault and online abuse, and employing online monitoring and an anonymous reporting service.
Club statement
In a statement on its official website, Crystal Palace confirmed the enhanced security measures and reiterated its ticketing terms. “In a bid to prevent away fans from accessing the home sections, there will be a number of enhanced security measures in place for this match, including the disabling of ticket sharing to limit the unauthorised sharing of tickets and touting,” the statement read.
“Supporters are reminded that, as per our terms and conditions, home match tickets are for the use of supporters of the club only. By purchasing a home match ticket and/or using the same you are promising to us that you are a supporter of the club.” The club added that any supporter found guilty of sharing their ticket will be prevented from buying a season ticket or membership for next season.
Palace’s away tickets are usually in high demand, particularly for London fixtures and against high-profile opponents, and access is typically governed by a loyalty points system. The club also operates an Away Ticket Priority Scheme requiring a minimum number of games per season to maintain eligibility. While some clubs offer ticket exchange or transfer services, these are often restricted to members or season‑ticket holders and may not be available for high‑demand fixtures — a position reinforced by the current disabling of ticket sharing.
