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Barcelona Says Ticketing Collapse Was Not a Hack, Caused by Internal Overload

Club leaders blame a miscalculated capacity spike, saying fixes now bolster the platform for future peaks.

Overview

  • An abrupt surge around 12:30 overwhelmed the system and misdistributed requests across servers hours before the 16:15 kickoff.
  • Roughly 7,500 supporters were unable to access their QR codes; the club consulted LaLiga about a delay, which was deemed impossible as kickoff neared.
  • An audit with T-Systems, Slash Mobility and Devoteam Spain found no cyberattack and identified insufficient optimization as the root cause.
  • T-Systems says the updated app can now absorb demand spikes and is prepared for a potential expansion of Spotify Camp Nou’s capacity.
  • Barcelona reaffirms e-ticketing to curb resale, will avoid sending QR codes early, is weighing further controls within 24 hours, and will assess affected members’ cases individually.