The Political Economy of Football V2

Fulham announced that season ticket prices would be going up at Craven Cottage yet again – a move which Fulham Supporters Trust (FST) says places an “undue burden on loyal fans”. The Premier League club will impose an above inflation 3.5% hike on season ticket prices for the 2026-2027 campaign, the fourth consecutive season of price increases at Fulham.  [Inflation is now likely to be above 3.5 per cent given events in the Middle East]. “The claim that the increase in season ticket prices is required for the club’s sustainability or compliance with new financial regulation simply does not stand up to scrutiny,” FST said.    Matchday receipts account for less than 10% of total revenue and that share is falling. A price hike will have no material impact on the Club’s bottom line, which makes raising ticket prices a choice, not a necessity.” “Today’s decision to apply a uniform price increase affecting these stands will regrettably contribute to the sense of di...

Liverpool have revised plans to increase ticket prices following protests and lengthy discussions with the club’s supporters’ board. In March, the club announced a three per cent rise for next season with further inflation-linked increases to follow in 2027-28 and 2028-29.    Given that inflation is now expected to be more than three per cent, this is a cut in real terms.   All clubs have found ‘other expenses’ increasing rapidly, especially utility bills but also national insurance. Yet after a strong backlash, particularly at recent games, Liverpool have on Thursday confirmed a compromise.   While the three per cent inflation-based rise for general admission next season will remain, there will now be a freeze on prices for the 2027-28 season. Liverpool Supporters Board say they “welcome the decision” and will now work closely with the club on a new proposal, including alternative ways to generate revenue to avoid future price increases. A statement fro...

Tottenham Hotspur have frozen their season-ticket prices for next season following consultation with fan groups.   In other words, the cost falls In real terms (Arsenal have increased their prces close to the rate of inflation). The decision is the result of discussions with the club’s Fan Advisory Board and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, which began late last year. Spurs did not raise season the price of season or match tickets for the current 2025-26 campaign, but began removing the concession for new senior season ticket holders (for those aged 65 and above) — a decision which resulted in criticism from some fan groups. The club increased season-ticket prices by six per cent for the 2024-25 season, leaving the most affordable adult season ticket at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium priced at £856. Senior supporters who purchased a season ticket for the current campaign did not receive a concession, while existing season ticket holders who become eligible for a...

Arsenal Supporters' Trust state: ' We are disappointed that the FSA’s  ‘ Protect the Fans, Protect the Game’   proposals calling for a ticket price freeze across all Premier League clubs has not been taken up. Neither the Premier League nor Arsenal have seriously engaged with the idea that a freeze at all clubs would help stop the ‘arms race’. Season tickets will be going up by 3.9 per cent (slightly above the rate of inflation) and most season tickets will cost over £1,000.   A seat in the centre of the lower tier will go up by 27 per cent to £1,281. AST continued: 'We firmly believe that with the football sector benefitting from ever-increasing broadcast and commercial revenues it is time to stop squeezing match-going supporters so hard. Arsenal recently reported to Deloitte a big increase in last season’s total revenue to £691m (up by 10%) and ticketing income of £154m (up by 19%). It is frustrating for fans to see football clubs and leagues do so little to combat...

Newcastle United have announced a third consecutive year of season ticket price hikes for adult season ticket holders, leaving the club’s supporter groups “incredibly disappointed” The latest price hike for season ticket holders means that a standard seat in St James’ Park’s Gallowgate end – £763 – is now more expensive than all but six blocks of Anfield’s Kop. A coalition of fan groups at the club – the Fan Advisory Board, Newcastle United Supporters Trust, Newcastle United Supporters Club, United With Pride, Wor Flags, True Faith, Black and White Army and the London Mags – released a joint statement condemning the price rise. “We are incredibly disappointed by this news of another 5% increase,” they said. “The club was already benefiting from approximately 10,000 season tickets increasing upwards of 60%, they did not need to add this on top of this." Newcastle United are the second club this week to announce an increase in season ticket prices, following Arsenal who said...

The Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust (NUST) has called on the club to freeze ticket prices and “recognise the financial strain many fans are facing”.   NUST has written to Darren Eales, Newcastle’s chief executive, to express its “concern” at suggestions price rises are on the way at a time when the cost of living is already high. Newcastle have been hemmed in by the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) and are looking to maximise their revenue streams. With St James’ Park routinely sold out for matches, ticket pricing is an obvious source. NUST insists this would be a mistake, however, and believes it would risk pricing out Newcastle’s most loyal and dedicated followers.   “With the expiration of long-term season ticket deals due for many supporters, we are concerned that the club may be contemplating another price increase for the 2025-26 season,” the trust says in its letter. “At a time when supporters are already feeling the finan...

The Football Supporters Association notes: ‘There's a rising tide of anger around ticket prices (and related issues) with the latest bouts coming from supporters' groups at Chelsea and Manchester City. It follows on from other examples at Arsenal, Fulham and Spurs. This issue is not going away and we back our members campaigns. The 1894 group at Manchester City commented: ‘To hell with the legacy fans who carried the club & concentrate on the global fan base amd charge stupid amounts for match day prices/ packages. The price of everything amd the value of nothing.’ The increases have not necessarily been above recent inflation rates and recent accounts show big rises in club's operating costs which include utilities.  They also compare well with West End theatre prices which I can no longer afford. However, one wants access to football not to be limited to the well off.  Having said, even third tier non-league football is not cheap.