It has been billed as the English invasion of Moscow. But, to the embarrassment of Uefa and its sponsors, the Champions League final will take place against a backdrop of empty seats. The prohibitive travel costs have meant that Manchester United, the world's best-supported club, have failed to sell their 21,000 ticket allocation.

The Luzhniki Stadium holds almost 85,000 spectators for most events, but even with its capacity reduced to 69,500 for this match, Uefa, European football's governing body, has been unable to sell all the tickets. Telephone calls to the Old Trafford ticket office shortly before closing last night revealed that United had £73 and £120 tickets on general sale and while Chelsea, in their first final, claimed that they had sold their allocation, the London club's official website indicated that there was still “limited availability” for two-night packages through their favoured travel partners.

The clubs and their supporters will point with justification at the enormous costs of travelling to Moscow, with airlines and hotels hiking up prices in an attempt to cash in on European club football's showpiece event.

Once United beat Barcelona in the semi-final, second leg on April 29 to ensure the competition's first all-English final against Chelsea or Liverpool, online ticket agencies were demanding up to £1,500 for £67 tickets in the final, but, with travel costs having soared, many supporters have decided to stay at home and watch on television.

“Last year the Champions League final was played in Athens in a stadium not fit for purpose,” Malcolm Clarke, of the Football Supporters' Federation, said. “Maybe the sight of empty seats at this year's final will make Uefa think afresh about putting the needs of supporters higher up their list of criteria.”

On the Craigslist.org website's Manchester and London sections there were nearly 500 tickets for sale last night, many offered for face value. “Can't afford trip and need to sell,” one seller wrote. Sean Bones, the vice-chairman of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust, said: “The Moscow trip is similar in price to next year's season tickets and people are having to make a choice between shelling out for one game or seeing every match next year.”

Tony Burlton, chairman of the Manchester United supporters' club's London branch, said: “It's unheard of for there to be empty seats in our end for European matches. Moscow is not the right venue and I do not know why it was not reviewed once it became apparent that it was likely to feature two English clubs.”