Are ticket prices getting out of control in football?

TrueCostofitall · April 30, 2015

Steve Bruce recently commented on Italian Football and how the high prices for tickets has resulted in their biggest clubs playing in half empty stadiums. Next season, all the prem teams will get a £50m bonus from TV money. Is this a once in a generation opportunity for the biggest clubs to half ticket prices and give something back to the fans? If Everton used 20% of the "new money" to offset against against ticket prices, they could halve season ticket prices and day tickets, making sure that the ground is full for every home game. I know a lot of readers have no problem affording the current prices, but for a lot of lifelong blues, its a struggle to make it every week, particularly if you want to take the kids along. Times are hard for ordinary working people, is it time to give something back ?

ijjysmith · April 30, 2015

Yes.

But I don't think we will see the problem Italy has here.

They raise the prices because they know people here will pay it. They could charge £1000 for a United game and they'd still sell out.

roydo · April 30, 2015

Will move to world football. But good OP mate.

roydo · April 30, 2015

I firmly believe that part of the appeal of the PL is the fullish stadiums and crowd noise and that.

We are part of the attraction, not just the actual football and footballers.

So yes, Sky/BT could have said to the clubs that they are paying them this ridiculous amount of money, on condition that a % of it is used to reduce tickets imo.

ToffeeDoug · April 30, 2015

Yep, it is now £55 for an away fan at West Ham (see other chat). I looked on their website to see what they charged their own fans, £42 for disabled fan. :mad:

EDINHO1 · April 30, 2015

It won't happen. Most games are sold out at current prices. Only works if we needed to fill a ground too big for us. It would be nice though

bizzaro · April 30, 2015

TrueCostofitall said:
Steve Bruce recently commented on Italian Football and how the high prices for tickets has resulted in their biggest clubs playing in half empty stadiums. Next season, all the prem teams will get a £50m bonus from TV money. Is this a once in a generation opportunity for the biggest clubs to half ticket prices and give something back to the fans? If Everton used 20% of the "new money" to offset against against ticket prices, they could halve season ticket prices and day tickets, making sure that the ground is full for every home game. I know a lot of readers have no problem affording the current prices, but for a lot of lifelong blues, its a struggle to make it every week, particularly if you want to take the kids along. Times are hard for ordinary working people, is it time to give something back ?

Everton need a new stadium (re) development.

That comes first.

Everton aren't the biggest ticket price offender anyway. London clubs are off the scale.

COYBL25 · April 30, 2015

Market forces simple as that. The gate money is dwarfed by the tv money and in turn the fan through the gate becomes less and less important in the Prem.

Caolam · April 30, 2015

It is all about what the market will stand. Players getting the equivalent of a working man's wage for a year per week is obscene. Working men having to stomp up £50+ to pay players obscene wages borders on the criminal.

Lids1978 · April 30, 2015

ToffeeDoug said:
Yep, it is now £55 for an away fan at West Ham (see other chat). I looked on their website to see what they charged their own fans, £42 for disabled fan.

That is disgraceful. Jaysus

Jamo Martinez · April 30, 2015

COYBL25 said:
Market forces simple as that. The gate money is dwarfed by the tv money and in turn the fan through the gate becomes less and less important in the Prem.

Isn't that a clear indication that they could/should lower prices?

riddick · April 30, 2015

I know it's completely different but in the states, let's use the NFL as an example. SINGLE game tickets start around $200. That's for as far away from the field as possible. Use some other sports like hockey, season tickets for 41 games is like 2500.

Was talking to a mate from London, he said it might be getting real expensive real fast, but it's not THAT bad compared to what we pay here and we have 4 MAJOR sports but it's not there....yet.

COYBL25 · April 30, 2015

Jamo Martinez said:
Isn't that a clear indication that they could/should lower prices?

Totally agree, look at the Bundesliga, much much lower than the Prem. However it took the collapse of a to deal years ago and the Bundesliga to nearly go bust for this to happen .

Neiler · April 30, 2015

Ticket prices are to low IMHO.

degsy · May 1, 2015

compared to what.
In the 64-65 my ST for the ground cost 3 pound 16 shillings and 8 pence for 21 games = GBP3.83p
a stand seat cost 37p adjusted for inflation and cost of living ( 2009 ) = 5.10p
you can add the 2014-15 prices your self

no doubt some statto / smarter*e could plot a graph of my figures; players wages ( via newspapers etc ); ticket prices over the years
not me though

In 84-85 a stand ticket was 4.00 + a free 50p program
85-86 it was 4.50 and no program
The season after I bailed out what with 2 adults and 2 kids in the family enclosure.