Price of watching Premier League falling, says BBC

LONDON: The cost of watching English Premier League football has fallen according to a BBC survey, which found that more than two thirds of ticket prices have been either cut or frozen this season.

The BBC’s Price of Football survey found that an away ticket in the second tier Championship can now be more expensive than for a Premier League match, with top- flight clubs having capped prices for visiting fans at £30 (RM164).

“Clubs are listening to their fans and working hard to make sure that Premier League football is accessible as well as competitive and compelling,” the Premier League said in a statement.

The fall in ticket prices comes in the first season of the Premier League’s bumper new £ 8bil (RM44bil) global television rights deal.

The survey found that the average cost of the cheapest adult home Premier League ticket has decreased by 6% – from £30.95 (RM169) to £29.05 (RM159) – while a cap of £30 (RM164) on away tickets has led to the average cost of the most expensive away ticket dropping 37% – from £46.44 (RM254) to £29.44 (RM161).

This is now lower than the average cost of the most expensive away ticket in the Championship of £31.57 (RM173).

Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters’ Federation, however, suggested prices could still be cut further and not harm clubs financially.

“On their current £ 8.3bil (RM45bil) deal, the Premier League could afford to let every single fan in free for every game and still have as much money as they had under the previous deal,” he was quoted as saying by the BBC.

“That gives you an idea of the scale of the amount of money they have got.” — Reuters