Como chiefs giving up seats to older fans for Champions League debut

Como president Mirwan Suwarso and several directors are voluntarily relinquishing their tickets for the club's Champions League debut to make room for elderly supporters. The Italian Serie A team, which recently entered the continental competition for the first time in their 119-year existence, will host German side RB Leipzig on Thursday evening.

Their promotion was achieved by finishing fourth in the Italian top flight during the previous season under the guidance of former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas. However, ticket demand for Como's historic European debut far outpaced supply. With a stadium capacity of around 12,000, the venue was further reduced by 1,000 due to UEFA regulations.

Once ticket sales fully sold out, Indonesian businessman Suwarso announced on social media that he and other executives would donate their seats to older fans instead. "Given the decreased capacity and limited tickets available, we regrettably cannot accommodate everyone who would have liked to attend," Suwarso wrote on Instagram.

"Nevertheless, some club executives and I have decided to sacrifice our seats for this match. We wish those seats to be given to supporters who have been waiting the longest – fans born in 1950 or earlier who have supported Como through every division and every era. We will be honored to give up our seat for them." Como has experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent years, climbing from lower divisions to secure a spot among Europe's elite.

The Lombardy-based club, which has gone bankrupt twice in the past two decades, finally reached Serie A in 2024 after a third promotion in six seasons. They began their top-flight campaign in 10th place before former Spain international Fabregas led them to a top-four finish and a Champions League spot last season. Following their opening game against Leipzig, Como will face Feyenoord, Manchester United, Lens, AEK Athens, Real Betis, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona during their maiden European campaign.