One of the major side-effects of the increased forced switch to digital-only ticketing systems is teams using the information they have about the usage of their season ticket holders' tickets and taking action — from increased in-stadium marketing to cutting off ticket access if fans sell them too frequently. This month, hundreds of Los Angeles FC supporters were informed they would no longer be able to renew their season tickets after the team discovered they had resold "a considerable number" of their tickets, and they experienced it firsthand.

The decision astonished and angered affected fans, especially in light of the fact that many claimed the COVID-19 outbreak was causing them to sell more tickets than usual.

"I appreciate the effort to stop scalping. But doing this during COVID? asked Steve Jarrard, a longtime season ticket holder, to the Los Angeles Times after his and his girlfriend's seats, which they had had for many years, were taken away. "She was in shock. She adores the group. I guess LAFC has a rule that seats are removed during a pandemic.

Another fan told the Times that he feared going to games because of comorbidities that would make a COVID case particularly perilous and sought to be cited anonymously out of concern that the team would reject his pending appeal of their decision.

I'm a devoted supporter, they declared. "I'm going to keep attending games. The year hasn't gone well. Without a doubt, I've lost money. It's out of devotion to the group. I've sent a letter of appeal outlining my predicament," he continued. "I do worry about reprisals, though. I'm somewhat irritated. especially given that there is still an emergency.

According to an email from the franchise sent earlier this week, those who sold their tickets too frequently were found to be in violation of their membership agreements. But impacted fans say they received no warning prior to their accounts being terminated.

The team says that it will review the accounts of those impacted if they wish.