Arsenal top BBC’s Price of Football table

Average ticket prices across English football’s top four divisions have fallen by up to 2.4% according to a report by the BBC Sport website. 

The annual Price of Football study showed that prices in four main categories have been reduced for the 2013/14 season.

The study – said by the BBC to be the biggest in British football – includes the prices of 166 clubs in the top 10 divisions, including five in England, four in Scotland and the Women’s Super League.

Chairman of FA Cup winners Wigan Dave Whelan believes it’s “impossible” for clubs to put prices up amid the current financial climate in Britain.

Last year’s study showed that the average price of the cheapest ticket in English football had gone up by 11% – four times the rate of inflation.

But this year, average prices for the cheapest and most expensive matchday and season tickets were all down – as clubs in the Football League face up to an average five-per cent drop in attendances (9,949 in 2011/12 to 9,481 in 2012/13).

The survey shows in the top four divisions of English football:

• The average for the cheapest adult season ticket is down 2.4% – from £344.63 in 2012 to £336.23 in 2013
• The average for the most expensive adult season ticket is down 1.6% – from £546.30 in 2012, to £537.60 in 2013
• The average for the cheapest adult matchday ticket is down 1.9% – from £21.24 to £20.85
• The average for the most expensive adult matchday ticket is down 1% – from £34.11 to £33.81
• The most expensive ticket in English football remains at Arsenal, where a category A adult matchday ticket can cost up to £126. Their cheapest ticket is £26.

The cheapest adult season ticket in the Premier League is £299 Manchester City. The most expensive is £1,955 at Arsenal, though this includes seven cup matches. At £15, Newcastle continues to offer the cheapest adult matchday ticket in the Premier League.

The average price for an adult matchday ticket in the Women’s Super League is just £5.38 while the most expensive pies in British football are at Crystal Palace and Kidderminster, with both charging £4.

The most expensive cup of tea is £2.50 at Manchester United – the same as in 2012. Manchester City also charged £2.50 last year, but have dropped their price to £1.80.

What does the Football Supporters’ Federation think?

FSF Chair Malcolm Clarke said: “While we’re obviously pleased that ticket prices haven’t risen above the rate of inflation again, a relatively small percentage drop in prices doesn’t suddenly make football affordable for all. Ticket prices were starting from a very high base and a slight decrease doesn’t change that.

“More fundamental change needs to happen if football doesn’t want to lose more match-goers to the comfort of their sofa or the pub. For many clubs, particularly those in the top-flight, gate receipts don’t even come close to making up the biggest proportion of revenue.

“The Premier League has received a £2.1bn increase in media rights recently, from £3.4bn to £5.5bn over three years. It’s an enormous figure – enough to give every match-going fan £50 at every single game. There is simply no justification for the prices that some clubs charge.

“Away fans are hit hardest by high prices once you take into account ever-increasing transport costs too. With that in mind the FSF launched the Twenty’s Plenty for Away Tickets campaign earlier this year.

“We’d encourage every fan to do their bit and sign the petition which automatically triggers an email to your club and the relevant league outlining your support for cheaper tickets.”

• 2013’s full Price of Football survey results can be downloaded here…
• Last year’s Price of Football tables can be found here…

Thanks to Action Images for the image used in this story.