October 16 – The Premier League may be the most popular televised club football in the world but ticket prices at home throughout the English game continue to be cause for concern.
British minister for Sport Helen Grant says the government is “really concerned” about the rising cost and has asked clubs to review their pricing.
The average price of the cheapest tickets across English football has risen at almost twice the rate of the cost of living since 2011 according to a survey by the BBC which analysed 207 clubs from the top flight to non-league.
The average price of the cheapest match-day ticket from the Premier League to League Two – the lowest of the four professional divisions – is now £21.49, a 13% rise since 2011.
“I feel clubs really must not take their fans for granted,” said Grant. “I can see why fans are cross. Fans are the lifeblood of the game, without the fans we won’t have football the way we know it.”
Arsenal have the most expensive match-day ticket in the Premier League while Manchester City, despite having won the league twice in three seasons, have the division’s lowest season ticket price at £299.
“To take a family of four to a Premier League match now you’re talking about £130 …that is just not affordable for most families so clubs really do need to look at this,” said Grant.
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