Price of Football survey: Costs will drive fans away warns FSF chief as ticket charges rise five per cent above inflation

THE cost of watching live football in Britain is rising sharply and could drive young fans away from the game, according to Football Supporters’ Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke.

• BBC survey on cost of watching football reveals ticket charges are rising by nearly 12 per cent, more than five times the rate of inflation

• Montrose supporters get the best deal in British football, while Celtic are the most expensive team to watch in Scotland

• Arsenal have the most expensive matchday and season tickets in Britain

A BBC survey has revealed the average cost of the cheapest adult ticket to watch English league football has risen by 11.7 per cent – or more than five times the rate of inflation.

The Price of Football poll, which includes figures from 166 clubs in ten divisions across Britain, found the average price of the most affordable ticket in the top four divisions in England has risen from £19.01 to £21.24 in the last year, while fans of Scottish Premier League clubs are paying similar prices.

Celtic charge the most in the SPL for their cheapest matchday ticket, which costs £29, while it’s just £16 at Inverness. Montrose comes out as best value north of the border, as the cheapest matchday ticket at Links Park can be bought for just £6. Despite demotion to the Third Division, Rangers are predictably the most expensive team to watch at that level. The cheapest match ticket at Ibrox is £16.

Individual match tickets for the Barclays Premier League cost between £15 and £126, with the most expensive season ticket costing £1,955.

“There’s a danger of alienation between fans and players at the top of the game,” Clarke said. “Younger fans in particular are being priced out and if they don’t get the live football bug at a young age they might not become season ticket holders.

“If you compare prices to other countries like Germany there are huge disparities. Season tickets at (Bundesliga champions) Borussia Dortmund start from 225 euros (£183) which includes three Champions League games. That works out at about £8.90 per match and includes free public transport. In comparison our prices are simply unacceptable.”

The current rate of inflation based on the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) is 2.2 per cent, showing the cost of watching football is rising disproportionately with everyday essential items.

Celtic also top Scotland’s price list when it comes to buying a season ticket. The cheapest seat at Parkhead for 2012/13 cost £387, rising to £609 for the most expensive.

This year, the deal included two matches – a friendly and a Champions League qualifier – in addition to SPL matches.

The best buy in the SPL was offered by Inverness, who charged £200 for the cheapest seat and £350 for the most expensive.

Montrose are also the cheapest in Britain, offering a season ticket for only £90. The least expensive at Rangers is £258.

Arsenal have the most expensive matchday and season tickets. Their highest-priced ticket for a single game costs £126 while £1,955 is their most expensive season ticket. The Gunners’ cheapest season ticket is £985.

While Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis insists the club remain focused on offering fans value for money – their cheapest matchday ticket costs a reasonable £26 – Arsenal Independent Supporters’ Association vice chair Paul Matz has called for an improved discount scheme for long-standing fans.

“Arsenal have traditionally always had expensive season tickets and they justify it by saying they have a waiting list, which they do,” Matz said. “They’re not under pressure from the market. Although people do give up season tickets there are people waiting to take them up.

“We say they need to do much more to reward loyalty and the people who have followed the club through thick and thin over 10, 20 and 30 years.

“Prices compare unfavourably
with other clubs because they have a waiting list but people in low income brackets are
forced to give up their tickets.”

Wigan (£255) and Manchester City (£275) offer the Premier League’s cheapest season tickets.

Newcastle offer the best value in the Barclays Premier League on a matchday, with the cost of the cheapest ticket, programme, cup of tea and a pie totalling £23.

The best similar deal in the SPL can be found at Inverness (£20.50), while the same purchase at Celtic Park will set you back £30.30.

However, half of the 42 senior teams in Scotland offer football supporters a day out for less than £20.

Other figures in the survey reveal the most expensive cup of tea is £2.50 at Manchester United and Manchester City, while Leeds’ £4 charge for a matchday programme is the most expensive in Britain.