On Thursday, Como will host RB Leipzig in the first Champions League match in the club’s 119‑year history. The Serie A side qualified for the competition after finishing fourth last season under former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Tickets for the event were in short supply. Como’s home ground, Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on the shores of Lake Como, holds about 12,000 but UEFA reduced capacity by 1,000 for broadcasting and operational reasons. Demand far outstripped the limited supply, leaving many long‑time fans disappointed.
In response, president Mirwan Suwarso and several directors announced on Instagram that they would give up their seats for the match. “With the reduced capacity and the limited number of tickets available, unfortunately we cannot accommodate everyone who would have liked to be there,” Suwarso wrote. “However, some club executives and I have decided to give up our seats for this match. We want those seats to be allocated to supporters who have waited the longest – fans born in 1950 or earlier, who have followed Como through every division and every era. We will be honoured to give up our seat for them.”
Como’s rise has been remarkable. After two bankruptcies in the past two decades, the Lombardy‑based club returned to Serie A in 2024 following a third promotion in six seasons. They finished 10th in their first top‑flight season before Fabregas steered them to a top‑four finish and Champions League qualification last year.
The match against Leipzig will be followed by fixtures against Feyenoord, Manchester United, Lens, AEK Athens, Real Betis, Paris Saint‑Germain and Barcelona as Como embarks on its maiden European campaign.
The club’s gesture is expected to resonate with its loyal fanbase and may set a precedent for other clubs facing similar ticket shortages. Fans who have waited decades for a European night will now have a chance to witness their team compete on the continent’s biggest stage.
