Manchester City fans lead ahead of Chelsea as data on football-related arrests during the 2025-26 season is released.
Last season, there were 1,963 football-related arrests (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City supporters were the most arrested of all soccer fans last season, new police sources have revealed. The UK Government has released data looking ahead to the 2025/26 campaign.
The data, compiled from data collected by 43 territory police forces in England and Wales and British Transport Police (BTP), examines the number of football-related arrests and actions taken by authorities over the past 12 months.
A total of 1,963 football-related arrests and other police actions were confirmed across the country. This is actually a 4% decrease compared to last season.
This is a remarkable number considering that the law was changed midway through the season. In March, it was confirmed that unauthorized entry to football stadiums had been added to Schedule 1 of the Football Attendance Act 1989. A total of 45 arrests and police actions were taken for this type of crime.
Regarding specific clubs, the government confirmed that Manchester City had made the most arrests, closely followed by Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.
The data states: “During the 2025-2026 domestic football season, the club with the highest number of supporters subject to arrest or other police action was Manchester City, with 102 people arrested or other police action taken against them. Chelsea were second with 76 and Manchester United were third with 67.”
Other clubs in the top five include Premier League champions Arsenal, who have made 66 arrests, while Championship side Millwall are just behind with 63.
Man City fans made the most arrests last season, according to government data (Image: Getty Images)
“In the 2025-2026 domestic football season, Manchester United had the highest number of supporters subject to arrest or other police action compared to the 2024-2025 season. This follows a significant increase in the number of arrests and other police actions in the 2024-2025 season (+39 people, +44% compared to the 2023-2025 season).” 2024 season).
“Portsmouth saw the largest increase in arrests and other police actions compared to the 2024-2025 season (from 16 to 55 arrests and other police actions).”
Many of the Premier League’s most prominent clubs are also on the list of top football bans. West Ham remain top of the table having played 121 games compared to 112 last season. Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool are also in the top five, with all clubs having supporters who were banned from football in the 1980s.
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