Scottish Cup Final tickets to start at £5

Fans from the Highlands will flock to see Inverness play in their first ever Scottish Cup final. Picture: SNS

The SFA have reached agreement with both clubs for an admission policy which will allow a family of four to attend the national stadium on 30 May for as little as £60.

Concession prices will start at just £5, with the cheapest adult prices cut to £25 for the east and west stands. The most expensive tickets are £30, a reduction of £5 from recent seasons.

Inverness have reached the Scottish Cup final for the first time in their history, while their First Division opponents Falkirk are bidding to lift the trophy  for the first time since 1957. The unlikely combination of finalists inevitably prompted speculation of empty seats at Hampden, although the evidence of recent years actually suggests a healthy attendance is likely regardless of the teams involved.

A young Falkirk fan celebrates after their semifinal win. Picture: John Devlin

But the SFA have agreed to relax their normal commercial policy and offer cheaper tickets as they seek maximum engagement from the communities in both Inverness and Falkirk, along with neutrals.

“We asked the Scottish FA to review its pricing for this year’s Scottish Cup final so we welcome the decision,” said Paul Goodwin of the Scottish Football Supporters Association.

“This match, The Family Final, will be the biggest of the year for fans of Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Falkirk. Reducing prices will hopefully encourage as many supporters of both, as well as neutrals, to attend.”

The SFA have been criticised in recent years for Hampden ticket prices, most recently for the Euro 2016 qualifier against minnows Gibraltar which ranged from £35 to £45 for adults.

For the previous three Scottish Cup finals, adult prices have been £28 and £35. At the last final at Hampden in 2013 (last year’s final took place at Celtic Park) there were no concessionary tickets for the north and south stands, while concessions in the east and west stands  were £10.

This year, concessions will be available in the north stand for the first time ever, priced at £10. Adult prices for the north and south stands are £30. For the east and west stands, tickets will  be £25 for adults and just £5 for concessions.

“This year’s William Hill Scottish Cup final promises to be a wonderful occasion, one that will capture the imagination not just of Falkirk and Inverness Caledonian Thistle fans, but their respective communities at large,” said SFA chief executive Stewart Regan.

“On behalf of the Scottish FA, I would like to thank both clubs for their positive contributions to the plans for the final, and wish them the best of luck on  30 May.”

Both clubs expressed their  satisfaction at the outcome of negotiations for ticket prices.

“This will be very much a ‘family final’ and with youngsters able to attend for £5, I hope supporters will feel that the pricing meets their pockets and that it also appeals to neutral followers,” said Inverness chairman Kenny Cameron.

“I’m pleased that we, Falkirk, and the Scottish FA were able to reach a timely and amicable agreement on ticket prices, and we’ve already received an impressive volume of enquiries as the countdown to the final gathers momentum.

“There will be a major exodus from the Highlands on the day, plus we’ll have supporters travelling from a range of countries. It should be a memorable  occasion.”

Falkirk executive director Ronnie Bateman said: “There has been a huge number of enquiries about tickets already, not only from our own supporters, but from neutrals.

“I think everybody realises it’s going to be an exciting afternoon of football, and a game which will be in the ‘not-to-be-missed’ category.

“We’ve had fruitful talks with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and the Scottish FA, and all parties are committed to making sure that fans get their tickets with ease, and at an affordable price, for what promises to be a great family day out,” added Bateman.