Liverpool increased ticket prices by 3% for next season, with further increases in line with inflation for the next two seasons, according to a report. The increase is the first time Fenway Sports Group has raised Kop ticket prices since taking over 15 years ago, according to a report. Liverpool cited significantly increased matchday operating costs and eight ticket price freezes in the last 10 seasons as reasons for the increase, according to a report. Adult general admission ticket prices will rise between £1.25 and £1.75 per ticket, according to a report. The club froze junior tickets and local general tickets, and changed young adult ages from 21 to 24, according to a report. The Liverpool Supporters Board opposed the increase and called the move 'wrong', according to a report.
Manchester United increased season-ticket prices by 5% in most areas of Old Trafford for next season, according to multiple reports. However, Executive Club season-ticket prices remain the same if purchased before April 15, according to multiple reports. The Manchester United Supporters' Trust expressed disappointment and called for a price freeze, according to multiple reports. Manchester United plans to move more fans from the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand to increase hospitality seating, according to multiple reports. Manchester United did not tighten the seat usage policy, which requires fans to use tickets for at least 16 of 19 Premier League home games, according to multiple reports.
We are extremely disappointed by the club's decision to increase ticket prices in line with inflation for the next three seasons.
In contrast, Manchester City have frozen season tickets for a second consecutive season, according to multiple reports. The club is expanding the Etihad Stadium by 7,000 seats, taking capacity to over 60,000, according to multiple reports. City also simplified the ticket exchange system, allowing fans to allocate tickets to 18 recipients without requiring membership, according to multiple reports. The club increased membership fees by £3, with juniors capped at £20, according to multiple reports. City introduced a new midweek league ticket category with adult prices starting at £25, according to multiple reports.
More than 100 Premier League fan groups published an open letter in November urging clubs against further price increases, according to multiple reports. Manchester United, Leeds United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Brighton and Sunderland have announced ticket price increases, according to multiple reports. Tottenham and Nottingham Forest have retained existing pricing strategies, according to multiple reports.
We’ve engaged with the club in direct discussions since early February. This followed a meeting with the club’s board and ownership last October. We were clear about our requests throughout: we sought a price freeze for two seasons, in line with the Football Supporters’ Association’s ‘Stop Exploiting Loyalty’ campaign, and sought commitment to work together to find alternatives that do not cost supporters more. We felt this was an opportunity for the club to do what we might expect from those who pride themselves on it meaning ‘more’: be different from others, support fan loyalty, and work collectively on a solution that does not come at the expense of supporters.
It is disappointing that the club has ignored our call, as part of the FSA’s league-wide campaign, for a ticket price freeze. Supporters are paying more and more to watch their team, and as the FSA campaign said: enough is enough.
We’ve also learned that 600 more loyal fans are being moved for ever more hospitality. Those people will be understandably furious, and need to be better treated by the club than those who went through the same thing last year were.
We are pleased the club listened to some of our concerns and there are no further restrictions on season ticket holders forwarding their tickets and no increase in the minimum usage rules. Football clubs make better decisions when they listen to fans - they should...