Cheaper away tickets on the way in European competition

This week UEFA announced that the away ticket price caps for its club competitions – in place since 2019 – are set to come down following lobbying from supporter representatives.

The existing price caps, introduced to the Champions League and Europa League back in 2019, will be reduced from €70 and €45 to €50 and €35 respectively.

Europa Conference League away ticket prices will also come down from €35 to €20.

Football Supporters Europe (FSE), the umbrella organisation representing supporters at European level, welcomed the change from UEFA which will save travelling fans thousands of Euros and protect attendances.

The announcement follows two years of discussions between FSE, UEFA, and the European Club Association (ECA).

FSE welcomes @UEFA‘s announcement that the price cap on UCC away ticket prices will reduce from this season, following 2 years of engagement & discussions between FSE, UEFA and the ECA. 1/2

🔗 Full statement: https://t.co/n3w3LldSUd https://t.co/hKjXZQjIse pic.twitter.com/RJzRfbQfxO

— Football Supporters Europe (@FansEurope) September 2, 2024

FSE’s executive director Ronan Evain said: “The revised price caps are further recognition of how integral away fans are to the atmosphere of European club fixtures.

“This decision illustrates another positive achievement in FSE’s joint work with UEFA and clubs on improving conditions for fans travelling across Europe.”

Last year, research by FSE showed that away ticket prices in European competition “remained stubbornly high” despite the introduction of the cap – FSE’s work shows that the average price for an away ticket in the Champions League last season was €47.

During the 2022-23 season, 18% of all Champions League games, 25% of all Europa League and 9% of all Europa Conference League away tickets were at the price cap.

UEFA say the new pricing should help bring that average down and demonstrates the governing body’s “commitment to making European football more accessible and affordable”.

“This decision, endorsed by the UEFA Club Competitions Committee, highlights the crucial role that fans play in creating the exciting atmosphere that defines the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League and acknowledges the passionate support that fans provide their teams during crucial away matches.

“By making away matches more accessible to fans, UEFA aims to preserve this unique aspect of European football culture.”

FSE paid tribute to the many supporters groups across Europe that have tirelessly campaigned for fairer ticket prices for all away fans, including with in-stadium actions and those that helped monitor prices. Their efforts “have played a crucial role in this latest progress” they said.