Over 200,000 fans scramble for tickets to Albania-Serbia qualifier

Demand skyrocketed for the highly anticipated Albania-Serbia Euro qualifier, with over 200,000 ticket applications submitted by the May 30 deadline.

Why this is important: The match, set for June 7 at the National Arena in Tirana, is not just a pivotal moment in the national team’s qualification journey—it’s also a high-stakes event requiring tight security and strict crowd control. Interest has reached record-breaking levels, underscoring both the sporting significance and sensitive political context of the Albania-Serbia rivalry.

Context: The Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) confirmed that more than 200,000 fans applied for tickets before the application window closed at 8:00 PM on May 30. With stadium capacity limited, organizers launched a lottery system to ensure fair distribution.

What happened: FSHF began the electronic lottery process immediately after the deadline. The draw is entirely randomized but subject to multiple security filters. These include the elimination of duplicate applications, suspicious accounts, and speculative entries created solely for resale or abuse.

According to FSHF, the system is designed to give each applicant one fair shot at a ticket, while also preventing black-market activity. All tickets will be personalized with the buyer’s full name, and entry to the stadium will require matching ID verification by State Police officers.

The federation emphasized that the ticketing model mirrors protocols used by UEFA for major competitions like the Champions League and the European Championship, ensuring international standards of fairness and security.

What’s next: The electronic selection process will conclude by June 2, after which ticket winners will be notified. With excitement reaching a fever pitch, the FSHF has urged fans to respect the process and warned against falling for scams or unofficial ticket offers.