Cyberattack on FC Barcelona: Key digital alert

Cyberpeace Tech
3 days ago
2 min read

The sudden crash of FC Barcelona's ticket app sparked immediate concern both inside and outside the club. What initially appeared to be a technical error ended up raising suspicions of a possible cyberattack, an episode that also leaves valuable lessons for Mexico, especially now that mobile access and digital validation systems are increasingly used in stadiums and mass events.

An unexpected failure in the middle of the day

Minutes before the match against Alavés, thousands of fans were affected when the app used to download and validate tickets began to operate extremely slowly.

Approximately 7,500 users experienced failures that prevented them from entering normally, and a small group was unable to enter the stadium.

The management pointed out that the platform had been operating without any significant incidents for two years, which made the system crash particularly striking.

Behaviors that point to an attack

President Joan Laporta reported that technical teams activated emergency protocols as soon as they detected the system overload. During the review, they discovered that the platform received a volume of traffic well above normal, exceeding even previous load tests designed to measure the system's resilience.

The anomaly suddenly disappeared about 30 minutes after the start of the match, a detail that coincides with common patterns in attacks aimed at saturating digital validation platforms.

Although there is no official confirmation, the club considers it reasonable to investigate the scenario of a cyberattack on FC Barcelona.

The possible cyberattack on FC Barcelona and the role of suppliers

The application is managed by T-Systems and Slash Mobility, companies with extensive experience in digital platforms. Both were instructed to prepare detailed reports following an incident that, according to their own technicians, does not match typical infrastructure failures.

This reaction surprises even the developers, reinforcing the suspicion of possible malicious intervention.

Fans: between delays and frustration

Although around 38,000 people were able to access the site without major problems, thousands faced long waits and complications. FC Barcelona's management acknowledged the impact on the fan experience and promised to provide full explanations at a public hearing.

Impact on Mexico and the sports industry

The case of the possible cyberattack on FC Barcelona adds to a global trend of attacks targeting the sports sector, where ticketing platforms, biometric access, and databases have become high-value targets.

In Mexico, where stadiums, teams, and organizers are rapidly migrating to digital systems, this incident serves as a reminder of the need to strengthen cybersecurity. A similar attack could cause operational chaos, economic losses, and reputational damage at any mass event.

Digital security is now as essential as physical security in any sports venue.

At Cyberpeace, we promote a culture of digital prevention. Staying up to date on cybersecurity and emerging threats is key to reducing risks. If you want to learn more about how to protect your information and strengthen your online security, we invite you to follow our social media accounts and stay up to date.