How to Get Arsenal Tickets

A home game at the Emirates Stadium is one of the great Premier League experiences – but Arsenal tickets have become one of the hardest tickets in English football. event-breaks.com explains how the Gunners' membership and ballot system works, why even paying members frequently miss out, and the secure route to guaranteed seats in North London even without a membership.

Arsenal, founded in 1886, are one of England's most storied clubs, and since their return to the top of the table the roughly 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium sells out week after week. Whether you're travelling from Dublin, Copenhagen or Amsterdam, a matchday in North London is a trip to plan carefully rather than leave to chance.

How does the official Arsenal ticket sale work?

The regular sale runs through the club and is tied to a membership. For Premier League home games there is no traditional general sale: tickets are allocated through a ballot open only to members. You register within a set window and wait for the result. Importantly, the timing of your entry within that window makes no difference – your odds are the same whether you enter on the first or last day.

Do I need a membership to buy Arsenal tickets?

Yes – without a membership you effectively cannot get tickets through the official route. There are several tiers, which are often confused. The Red membership (paid, from around £35 per season) entitles you to enter the ballot – but brings no guarantee of a ticket. For popular games the success rate for Red Members is often only single digits. The higher Silver membership significantly improves your chances, but it is capped and usually only reachable via a waiting list. Season tickets are not currently available to new buyers at all – again, there is a long waiting list.

In short, a membership is your entry ticket to the sales process, not to the seat itself. That is exactly where most casual visitors come unstuck.

Are there other official ways to get tickets?

Yes, the Ticket Exchange: an official resale platform where season-ticket holders and unavailable members return their seats at face value. After a ballot closes, unsuccessful members can pick up seats that become available there. However, supply is limited, sells out quickly and is likewise tied to a membership. Buying via unofficial secondary platforms, by contrast, is best avoided – more on that below.

What does an Arsenal ticket cost?

Arsenal use a category system (A/B/C) tiered by opponent. A rough guide to face values for regular Premier League home games:

Category C (smaller fixtures): around £35–55.
Category B: around £45–75.
Category A (big games, derbies, Champions League): around £65–120 and up.
Hospitality / VIP: from around €300 to well over €1,000 – with lounge access, catering and premium seats.

On the unofficial secondary market – especially for big games and London derbies – prices run considerably higher.

Are Arsenal tickets personalised?

Yes. Tickets are fully digital and delivered to the member's mobile account, usually activated shortly before the game and shown as a QR code; every visitor needs their own ticket on their phone. Because everything is digital and tied to a membership account, buying through dubious channels is especially risky.

How do I get Arsenal tickets without a membership?

Getting seats without a membership and without years of history with the club is all but impossible through the official direct route. The safe, plannable way is through authorised travel and ticket partners. event-breaks.com is one of the providers where you can book guaranteed tickets combined with a hotel in London. We offer both official hospitality packages and, on request, standard seating categories – often the more affordable option. The tickets come from verified channels rather than the opaque black market, where fakes and refused entry are a regular occurrence at Arsenal games.

You'll find all Arsenal tickets & travel packages at a glance on event-breaks.com.

Where are the best seats at the Emirates Stadium?

The Emirates is a modern, three-tier arena with excellent sightlines from almost anywhere. As a guide:

• Lower tier, long sides: close to the pitch and to the action – highly sought-after.
• Behind the goal (home of the more vocal support): best for singing and atmosphere.
• Club Level (middle tier): premium seats with lounge and catering access – the most comfortable option.
• Upper tier: further back, but a superb overall view of the game.

For first-time visitors who mainly want to soak up the setting, a seat in the lower tier of the long sides is a good balance of proximity and atmosphere.

The Emirates Stadium: Arsenal's modern North London home

Arsenal have played at the Emirates Stadium since 2006. With around 60,000 seats it is one of England's largest and most modern grounds, and its steep tiers create a dense acoustic. Around the stadium, imagery celebrates the club's history – from the "Invincibles" to icons such as Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp – and on matchdays the surrounding streets turn into a sea of red and white.

Frequently asked questions about Arsenal tickets (FAQ)

Can you buy Arsenal tickets at the stadium on matchday?
No. There is effectively no walk-up box office for single tickets. Tickets must be bought in advance digitally – through the club (ballot/membership) or an authorised partner.

Is the Red membership enough to secure a ticket?
No. The Red membership only entitles you to enter the ballot. For big games the success rates are very low and many members miss out.

Is it safe to buy Arsenal tickets on the secondary market or social media?
No, this is strongly advised against. As all tickets are digital and tied to a membership account, you risk fakes and refused entry. Only use official channels or authorised partners such as event-breaks.com.

How do I get tickets for the North London derby against Tottenham, or against Chelsea?
These are Category A games and sell out almost instantly. Realistically, access is usually only via hospitality or travel packages.

Are there discounts for children?
On regular tickets, sometimes yes; on hospitality and travel packages, a single price per person usually applies.