Do you need ID to watch football in Europe?
In some countries a football ticket is just a barcode. In others it carries your name, and you can be turned away if your ID doesn't match.
Country by country
| Country | Clubs with named tickets or ID checks |
|---|---|
| Spain | 0 of 42 |
| Germany | 0 of 36 |
| Italy | 20 of 20 |
| Netherlands | 2 of 18 |
| Portugal | 1 of 18 |
| France | 0 of 18 |
| Belgium | 16 of 18 |
| Czechia | 1 of 15 |
| Scotland | 0 of 12 |
| Croatia | 10 of 10 |
Italy
Every Italian club in our guides sells named tickets. When you buy, you enter the full name, date of birth and nationality of each person going. At the turnstile, stewards check the ticket against your passport or ID card. Some games are closed to fans who live in the away team's region.
Belgium and Croatia
Most Belgian clubs, and every Croatian club we cover, also sell named tickets and check ID. In Belgium you may need to register with the club before you can buy.
Everywhere else
In Spain, Germany, France and Scotland, ID checks at the gate are rare. Some clubs still ask for your name when you buy. Carry ID anyway, as the stadium can ask for it.
What this means for buying
Named tickets are the main reason to avoid resale sites. A ticket in someone else's name can be refused at the gate, and you'd lose what you paid. Buy from the club, and enter names exactly as they appear on your passports.