Celtic and Stuttgart are in discussions over increasing away allocations for their Europa League play-off tie after extraordinary demand from the German club’s supporters.
Stuttgart received around 30,000 applications in a single day after opening their ticket process for the first leg at Celtic Park. The scale of interest has pushed both clubs into talks about whether the standard allocation can be expanded.
Under UEFA rules, away clubs are guaranteed a minimum of five per cent of capacity. With Celtic Park and Stuttgart’s MHPArena both holding roughly 60,000, that would usually mean around 3,000 tickets for travelling fans.
That is the baseline. This tie is already testing it.
According to the Scottish Sun, Stuttgart have approached Celtic to explore whether a compromise can be reached that would see increased allocations for both legs. The idea is not a one way concession but a reciprocal agreement that benefits both sets of supporters.
Celtic are facing the same issue in reverse. Demand from Hoops fans for the second leg in Germany is expected to be enormous, especially given the limited number of realistic European away trips available this season.
The return match will be played at the same stadium where Scotland’s Euro 2024 hopes ended against Hungary. That alone adds another layer of emotion and demand for Celtic supporters who missed out last summer.
From Celtic’s perspective, the situation is delicate. European home games are among the most valuable dates on the calendar, financially and atmospherically. Reducing the home allocation is not a decision taken lightly, particularly with season ticket holders and corporate commitments already in place.
At the same time, Celtic have long argued for fairer treatment of their own travelling support in Europe. There is an understanding inside the club that any increase granted to Stuttgart would need to be matched in Germany to make the arrangement worthwhile.
Security, segregation, and policing requirements will all factor into the final decision. UEFA will also need to sign off on any deviation from the standard allocation, even if both clubs agree.
Talks are ongoing, with both sides keen to reach a solution quickly. Supporters are expected to be informed soon, given that the first leg is only two weeks away and travel plans are already being made.
If an agreement is reached, it would underline the scale of interest this tie has generated and the reality that some European fixtures now outgrow the template UEFA prefers to apply.
German clubs are renowned for their travelling support, so this can be viewed as a good thing for both clubs. However, if the Green Brigade’s ban continues, which is likely to, then we face the prospect of Celtic Park being drowned out by the away end.
The increase in allocation for the return leg would be highly beneficial for us, though. More Celtic fans in Germany would only help spur the team on by adding noise and colour to Stuttgart’s stadium.
Last year’s game against Bayern Munich proved this. There were around 4,000 fans in the Celtic end in what was a freezing cold night in Germany, but the support was there as usual.
An agreement on an allocation increase for Stuttgart will be reached soon, with both sets of fans waiting eagerly in anticipation.
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