Why Are Arsenal Carabao Cup Final Resale Tickets So Expensive?
- Last Updated On
- Ben Green
Arsenal fans are paying a premium for the upcoming Carabao Cup final.
Still with a chance of winning four trophies, Arsenal could secure their first piece of silverware of the season against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and the demand for tickets is immense.
On the resale market, Carabao Cup Final tickets in the Arsenal end start at £700, compared to just £221 for the Man City end. That's more than three times the price for the same match, same stadium, same Sunday afternoon. The gap tells a story of desperation, demand and a Leaue Cup drought that's lasted since John Major was Prime Minister.
The Numbers Don't Lie
The Arsenal vs Manchester City price gap at Wembley on March 22 is stark:
| Section | Starting Price |
| Arsenal End | £700 |
| Man City End | £221 |
To put that in context, you could buy three tickets in the City end for the price of one in the Arsenal end. The average resale price for the Carabao Cup final is £936, making this one of the most expensive League Cup finals in recent memory.
And this demand isn't unique to the final. Arsenal's semi-final tickets against Chelsea averaged £485, while Man City vs Newcastle averaged just £115.
Browse Carabao Cup Final Tickets →
Why Arsenal Fans Are Paying Through the Nose
1. A 32-Year League Cup Drought
Arsenal last won the League Cup in 1993. Steve Morrow scored the winner against Sheffield Wednesday. Tony Adams tried to lift his fellow defender in celebration and accidentally broke his arm. A story for football folklore. That's how long ago it was.
The Gunners have reached three League Cup finals since then (2007, 2011, 2018) and lost every single one. The 2018 final was particularly painful, a 3-0 hammering by Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
2. The Covid Trophy That Doesn't Count (Emotionally)
Yes, Arsenal won the FA Cup in 2020. But ask any Gooner and they'll tell you it didn't feel the same. An empty Wembley, no fans present, no trophy lift with 40,000 screaming supporters.
Mikel Arteta's first trophy was celebrated in silence. An important one for Arteta and the subsequent high league finishes. But, for many supporters, this feels like the first real chance to celebrate silverware since 2017.
3. A Fanbase Bursting at the Seams
Arsenal have one of the biggest fanbases in the UK. Manchester City despite their recent dominance are not as well supported. The Emirates Stadium holds 60,704 fans and sells out virtually every match at 99.5% capacity.
When you have more fans chasing fewer opportunities, prices explode.
4. Title Contenders With Something to Prove
Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League with 53 points, leading the title race. This isn't a rebuilding club looking for scraps. This is a team that's consistently finished second in recent seasons, watching City celebrate while they collected nothing. Declan Rice spoke after the semi-final win over Chelsea about the squad having "extra desire" and "fire in our bellies" to end the trophy wait.
The Carabao Cup represents their first realistic chance of silverware this season, a potential springboard to even four trophies in a memorable season and fans know it.
Arsenal's Ticket Demand Across the Board
The Carabao Cup Final isn't an outlier. Arsenal ticket prices are elevated across every remaining fixture this season. Here are the most in-demand remaining games:
| Date | Match + Venue | From |
| May 17 | Arsenal vs Burnley, Emirates Stadium | £901 |
| May 2 | Arsenal vs Fulham, Emirates Stadium | £472 |
| May 24 | Crystal Palace vs Arsenal, Selhurst Park | £357 |
| Mar 17 | Arsenal vs TBA, Champions League R16, Emirates Stadium | £353 |
| Apr 25 | Arsenal vs Newcastle, Emirates Stadium | £348 |
| Apr 11 | Arsenal vs Bournemouth, Emirates Stadium | £303 |
| Feb 18 | Wolves vs Arsenal, Molineux Stadium | £61 |
Arsenal vs Burnley on May 17 could be a potential title decider, which explains why a home game against a promoted side is starting at £901. Compare that to Man City vs Fulham at the Etihad, which starts at just £28. The difference in demand is extraordinary.
How Arsenal Fans Get Official Carabao Cup Final Tickets
Arsenal have approximately 42,000 season ticket holders. They'll receive around 32,000 tickets for the final.
Last Year's Carabao Cup final Allocation
For the 2025 Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle, each club received just over 32,000 tickets. Liverpool got 32,196 and Newcastle 31,939. That's roughly 64,000 of Wembley's 90,000 capacity going to fans, with the remaining 26,000 allocated to corporate partners, hospitality, media and officials.
Expect similar numbers for Arsenal this year.
The 2025/26 Priority System
Arsenal updated their cup final ticket policy for this season, designed to reward supporters who follow the team both home and away. According to the club's official policy:
"The new criteria will give higher priority to season ticket holders and members who have travelled to see the team play in the relevant competition, both home and away."
The specific qualifying criteria for this final haven't been announced yet. Arsenal only confirmed their place at Wembley last night. The club states that details "will be communicated in advance" of the final.
What We Know
After priority ticket holders have purchased, any remaining tickets are balloted to Gold and Platinum members first, followed by Silver members (around 30,000), then Red members (over 200,000). The club acknowledges the challenge directly: "Our season ticket holder numbers far outweigh the limited allocations we receive for cup finals."
Face Value vs Reality
Official ticket prices for last season's League Cup final ranged from £41 to £150 for adults, with concessions (under 16s and over 65s) paying £20.50 to £75. But when 42,000 season ticket holders are chasing 32,000 tickets, before you even count the hundreds of thousands of members behind them, the resale market becomes the only realistic option for most fans.
Compare Carabao Cup Final Prices →
Why Manchester City Carabao Cup Final Tickets Are Cheaper
1. Trophy Fatigue Is Real
Manchester City have won the League Cup eight times, including four consecutive titles between 2018 and 2021. For their fanbase, another Carabao Cup is nice, but it's hardly the priority.
The Champions League and Premier League take precedence. Especially in a season where Pep Guardiola might be taking charge of his final games following a trophy-laden spell in charge at the Etihad.
2. A Smaller Domestic Fanbase
Despite their dominance, City's UK fanbase remains smaller than Arsenal's. Fewer local fans means less competition for tickets. You can see a Man City home Premier League game for as little as £28 (vs Fulham). The cheapest Arsenal home Premier League fixture on SeatPick right now is £131 (vs Sunderland).
3. Different Expectations
City fans have watched their team collect trophy after trophy since the 2008 takeover. Arsenal fans have watched their side improve in recent years but silverware remains elusive. That desperation translates directly into willingness to pay premium prices.
How the Carabao Cup Final Compares to 2026's Biggest Football Finals
Despite all the hype, the Carabao Cup Final is actually the most affordable of the major football finals this year. Here's how it stacks up:
| Final | Starting Price |
| World Cup Final | £4,304 |
| Champions League Final | £2,585 |
| Europa League Final | £839 |
| Arsenal End, Carabao Cup Final | £700 |
| FA Cup Final | £675 |
| Man City End, Carabao Cup Final | £221 |
The Arsenal end of the Carabao Cup Final is now more expensive than the FA Cup Final on resale. Meanwhile, tickets in the City end represent the best value of any major final in 2026 by a considerable margin.
What This Means for Arsenal fans
If you're an Arsenal fan looking for Carabao Cup Final tickets, expect to pay significantly more than face value. The resale market reflects genuine scarcity and overwhelming demand.
If you're a City fan? You've got options.
Find Your Carabao Cup Final Seat →
Arsenal vs Manchester City Carabao Cup Final FAQs
When is the Carabao Cup Final 2026?
The final takes place on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Wembley Stadium with a 4:30pm kick-off.
How many tickets does each club get for the Carabao Cup Final?
Each finalist receives approximately 32,000 tickets from Wembley's 90,000 capacity. Last year Liverpool received 32,196 and Newcastle 31,939.
Why are Arsenal tickets more expensive than Man City tickets?
Arsenal haven't won the League Cup since 1993 and have a much larger UK fanbase, creating higher demand. City fans have seen eight League Cup wins and prioritise other competitions. On the resale market, Arsenal end tickets start at £700 versus £221 for the City end.
Can I get official Arsenal tickets for the final?
Priority goes to season ticket holders who've followed the team home and away in the competition. Remaining tickets are balloted to members. With 42,000 season ticket holders chasing around 32,000 tickets, most fans will need to use the resale market.
Where can I compare Carabao Cup Final ticket prices?
SeatPick compares listings from dozens of trusted resellers in one place, helping fans find the best available prices across the secondary market.
All prices based on SeatPick resale listings as of February 5, 2026. Availability and pricing subject to change.










