PREM ACE: CUT COST OF TICKETS FOR FANS
Arsenal (€1,994)* Chelsea (€1,410) Man Utd (€1,070)
A TOP Premier League star has called for cheaper tickets at matches and warned that genuine fans are being priced out.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany said the “unique atmosphere” created by supporters helped the Premier League sell lucrative TV rights.
The Belgian international, 31, added: “We have people in stadiums who make a lot of noise. That gives a competitive advantage, more points for home teams.
“Every point won has a value to the club. There is a logic to this, you generate more revenue. That advantage means you can lower ticket prices.” Kompany, who graduated last month with an MA in Business Administration and wrote a dissertation on the topic, said fans who “live for the club” were probably “not always the guys who can afford it”.
He said the league’s global appeal meant clubs could fill stadiums with tourists who would spend €450 a ticket but warned: “The question is, if that affects your product?”
The BBC Price of Football survey of PL clubs showed season tickets for a club’s best seats are most expensive at Arsenal and cheapest at Huddersfield. Those clubs also have the most expensive and cheapest “bottom tier” season tickets – €1,005 at Arsenal (including extra games) and €110 at Huddersfield.
A Mirror campaign led to a €35 cap on prices for away fans, which runs out when the Premier League’s domestic TV deal finishes in 2019. The Football Supporters’ Federation led the Twenty’s Plenty campaign, for a €22.50 ceiling.
Man City declined to comment on Kompany’s plea over ticket prices.