A new controversy has erupted at Newcastle United after it was revealed that a private school in Scotland was gifted a block of tickets for a highly anticipated home match against Barcelona.
The news has sparked outrage and disbelief among the club’s loyal fanbase, many of whom are paying members who failed to secure tickets themselves.
The tickets, a total of 45, were handed to the High School of Dundee, a private school with annual fees of over £20,000.
The revelation has hit a nerve with the more than 100,000 Newcastle United members who were left disappointed after failing to secure a seat in a recent ticket ballot.
The sheer demand for tickets for the major European fixture has left many dedicated supporters locked out, and the news that a large block was given to a non-local group has been met with fury.
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The Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST) confirmed they had been "inundated with messages" regarding the issue, stating they "completely understand the ongoing frustration" from fans.
We have been inundated with messages regarding a school in Dundee being given 45 tickets for the Barcelona fixture.
— Newcastle United Supporters Trust (@nufctrust) September 9, 2025
With >100k in today’s member sale queue and countless tickets on 3rd party sites at vastly inflated prices, we completely understand the ongoing frustration from… pic.twitter.com/aT8UPgXOsV
The supporters' primary complaint centres on the perceived lack of fairness, as paying members who have followed the club for years are denied access, while tickets are being given to a school whose pupils may not even be fans of the club.
This is not the first time the club's ticket allocation has drawn criticism.
Reports have highlighted a similar situation for a key Champions League match in December 2023 against AC Milan, suggesting this is part of a broader, and ongoing, issue.
The lack of transparency from the club has only amplified the anger.
Without clear communication on how tickets are distributed, fans are left to speculate on the reasons behind such decisions.
The controversy has reopened a debate about whether the club is prioritising global exposure and corporate interests over its dedicated, local fanbase.
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