We are extremely disappointed with the Club’s decision to increase match day tickets for the second consecutive year.
This follows the Club’s announcement earlier this year that have seen season tickets increase by six per cent and of course the disgraceful changes to senior concession season tickets.
THST Official board members met with the Club on June 4 and once again argued that during this cost-of-living crisis, ticket prices should not be increased.
We asked the Club to remove booking fees and to revert to five category A games, nine category B games and five category C games, rather than the 6-9-4 they have pushed ahead with.
This is not structured dialogue or consultation and we have said as much to the Club.
We pushed for stretch pricing and were able to restrict the increases on category B and C games to £1, but we still believe the increase to category A games is indefensible and unnecessary.
The cumulative effect of the increases is an overall increase higher than the rate of inflation.
The Club’s Fan Advisory Board also expressed its opposition to the proposed increase and its disappointment at the Club’s refusal to agree to revert to 5/9/5 split on match categorisation or to remove booking fees.
A television deal worth £6.7bn is in place for four seasons from 2025/26 shining a light on the record levels of income being generated by Premier League clubs.
We urge both the Premier League and the incoming independent regulator to take action and to put in place regulations to prevent clubs exploiting loyalty.
THST Official will continue to work with the FSA, fellow supporters’ trusts and politicians to push hard for such regulation. It has become increasingly apparent that such changes will not come from within most Premier League club boardrooms.