Out of our league Fans’ backlash as 9 Prem clubs raise season ticket cost
NINE greedy Premier League football clubs have raised their season ticket prices – despite sharing in a £5billion TV rights package.
While 11 of 20 sides froze prices, fans at Spurs, Fulham, West Ham, Wolves, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Watford, Cardiff City and Man City face inflation-busting hikes.
Arsenal top the league with a cheapest option at £891, despite freezing prices after missing out on the Champions League next season. North London rivals Spurs overtook Chelsea as the second most expensive club after a £100 hike to £795. And newly promoted Wolves raised their cheapest season tickets by £125 to £509 – up 32.5 per cent.
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TV and sponsorship deals have diminished the importance of gate receipts as clubs no longer need supporters’ cash to pay players’ wages.
Sky, BT and Amazon are paying for domestic rights to the Premier League in a threeyear deal from 2019 to 2022.
The Football Supporters Federation said: “The Premier League rakes in billions in broadcasting revenue and fans are an integral of that ‘product’ broadcasters pay so handsomely for. Clubs should be using the billions to ensure their traditional crowd is protected. Lower income fans shouldn’t be priced out.”
A Spurs spokesman said the rise reflected the team’s return to White Hart Lane in a new £1billion ground with “uninterrupted views” and “comfortable modern seating” after a stint at Wembley last season.
Meanwhile, Manchester United last week unveiled the Premier League’s most expensive kit at nearly £193.
Arsenal Spurs Chelsea Liverpool Newcastle Crystal Palace Southampton Watford Bournemouth Man Utd Brighton Wolves Everton Leicester Burnley Fulham Cardiff West Ham Man City Huddersfield
(Cheapest adult seats) Cost Increase %+ £891 freeze 0 £795 £100 14 £750 freeze 0 £685 freeze 0 £571 £27 5 £570 £20 3.6 £570 freeze 0 £551 £23 4.4 £550 freeze 0 £532 freeze 0 £515 freeze 0 £509 £125 32.5 £485 freeze 0 £395 freeze 0 £390 freeze 0 £349 £50 17 £329 £30 9 £320 £31 11 £310 £11 3.7 £299 freeze 0