With Aston Villa competing in Europe this season, many supporters will be planning trips abroad. The FAB has been in contact with Football Supporters Europe (FSE), the organisation that represents fans across the continent, and we want to pass on some of the help and guidance they have made available to travelling supporters.
Help from FSE
Depending on the country involved, FSE can put supporters in touch with fan groups at other clubs and liaise with clubs, football associations, UEFA and local authorities if problems arise or regulations are breached. If all else fails, they can also provide contact details for lawyers on the ground who work with football fans. FSE has trusted contacts in more than 25 countries, and a growing number of clubs now arrange local legal support for their travelling fans.
Away Fans Survey
FSE monitors the conditions faced by away supporters in European competitions, and it relies on fans to do so. Everyone who travels to a European away game is invited to complete the FSE Away Fans Survey after each match. It covers travel, ticketing, allocation, policing and stewarding, catering and more, and includes in-depth questions on accessibility.
The FAB would particularly encourage disabled supporters who travel abroad to complete the survey, and we would ask everyone to share the link with any fan groups they are part of. The more data FSE gathers, the stronger the case for improvements with UEFA.
Ticket price caps
UEFA’s price caps on away tickets have been in place for six seasons, and since 2024 the caps have been lower still. Tickets in the away section must cost no more than:
- €50 in the Champions League
- €35 in the Europa League
- €20 in the Europa Conference League
The regulations also require home clubs to make at least 5% of stadium capacity available to visiting supporters, in an area that can be segregated, with all related facilities such as toilets, catering and first aid open for as long as those fans are in the ground. Away tickets must not cost more than the price of an adult ticket in a comparable sector of the home end.
If you think you have been overcharged for an away ticket, tell FSE as early as possible, and ideally before the game, so they can assess whether the regulations have been breached and raise it with UEFA. You can also let us know via the FAB and we will make sure it gets to the right people.
Safe standing
UEFA has extended its Standing Facilities Observer Programme into the 2026/27 season. England is one of the ten nations already taking part, so standing sections can continue to be used in both home and away areas of UEFA competition matches. The extension also covers qualifying rounds and national team matches, in both men’s and women’s football.
FSE has noted that last season some clubs chose not to take up their standing allocation for away games. That can mean fans are not allowed to stand and can also mean higher prices, as seated tickets are often dearer than standing ones. Where a stadium offers standing in the away section, we hope Villa will take up at least some of the allocation, and we will raise this with the club.
If something goes wrong
Whether it is a problem in the build-up to a trip or an issue on the day, such as a low allocation, closed toilets, too few turnstiles open, poor stewarding or heavy-handed policing, please report it. FSE can look into incidents and, in cases of serious problems or breaches of UEFA regulations, file a formal complaint with UEFA on supporters’ behalf. The earlier they hear about a problem, the more likely they are to be able to help. You can find their contact details on the FSE website.
You can also contact the FAB through our contact page, and we will pass on any concerns to the club.
Safe travels
Following Villa around Europe is one of the great joys of being a supporter. We wish everyone travelling a safe and enjoyable season, and we will keep pushing for fair prices, decent facilities and proper treatment for our away fans.
UTV — Prepared, one voice.