Premier League ticket price rises - what the fans think
Tottenham fans turning their back on the game; Fulham's crowd showing yellow cards; Liverpool's Kop removing their iconic flag displays and Wolves fans calling for boycotts - supporters have been protesting at Premier League ticket prices in their thousands this season.
A BBC Sport fans' questionnaire on the topic invited Premier League season ticket holders to share their views on the price they pay.
Fifteen of the 20 Premier League clubs had announced their pricing structures for the 2024-25 season when the questionnaire was released.
There were 1669 responses and the majority (1494 fans) said they will pay either "slightly more" or "significantly more" for their ticket next season.
Despite that, almost half of those who responded (782 fans) said their season ticket price is "fair"; 472 fans said it was an "unfair" price; 401 said their ticket represented "good value".
More than half respondents (907) felt the quality of facilities such as food kiosks, toilets and stadium infrastructure did not reflect the price they pay.
Supporters were also asked to select one of four statements that best reflects their club's approach to season ticket holders.
490 supporters said "My club looks after its season ticket holders with fair pricing structures."
506 fans, almost a third, selected: "My club prioritises the needs of corporate and one-off ticket buyers over season ticket holders."
However, many respondents also said they could understand price rises during a period of economic uncertainty.
The research was carried out before Wolves released their prices, which are higher than last season and have prompted a lot of anger from their fans.
'Friction between loyal fans and tourists'
Fulham fans have held up yellow cards around Craven Cottage this season.
The club has the most expensive non-corporate season ticket in the league. At £3,000, those who sit in certain areas of the new Riverside Stand pay more than £150 per home league match.
With its west London location on the banks of the Thames, Fulham has become one of the most popular destinations for global fans looking to see Premier League football during a trip to the capital.
"It causes a friction between loyal fans, who will stick with the club through thick and thin, and one-off tourists who want to come to London to watch a Premier League football match," said Sammy James, who hosts the Fulhamish podcast.
"I do get that tourist revenue is attractive, but that risks then cutting off your long term source of regular fans who will come every single week."
Sarah Keig, from the Fulham Lillies supporters group said: "There will be a time when Fulham may find themselves back in the Championship again, and where are the supporters going to be then? [What if] you've priced them out, built this beautiful new stand, but nobody can afford to come and watch the football there?"
Fulham do still have season tickets available for less than £500 in certain areas of Craven Cottage. Next season all season tickets, except those in the Riverside Stand, will go up in price by 4%.
Fans say loyalty is being 'exploited'
One of the most common responses to the questionnaire from fans was that they feel their loyalty is being exploited by their club.
Nearly two thirds of those who responded, 1,049 in total, said the cost of their season ticket has never made them reconsider buying it.
"Clubs know that if you do not renew your season ticket, someone perhaps in a more fortunate financial position will buy one and you could have to wait a decade, maybe even more, before you are in a position to purchase another one," said Martin, a Spurs fan.
"As a Forest supporter who paid for a season ticket in 2020-21, when there was no football, and who has had a season ticket for over 30 years, including three years in League One and multiple Championship relegation battles, it feels like that has been forgotten in the attempt to make a few more pounds," said Simon.
"Matchday revenue is minuscule in comparison to commercial and broadcast revenue so ticket prices should reflect that," said Joe, a Liverpool fan. "The 2% increase [to season tickets] adds £1m, which is a drop in the ocean to a club like LFC."
"The club fails to understand that the club has been part of people's lives for many years," said Paul, an Arsenal fan. "It is part of our routine for living, not just a day out."
Many who answered our questionnaire pointed to measures being introduced by clubs to ensure more people in the stadium pay the full price for a ticket.
At Nottingham Forest, all adult prices in the City Ground have increased, while fewer fans will now receive discounted youth tickets.
Fans of some clubs, though, used the questionnaire to highlight initiatives they feel benefit young supporters.
"For a number of years now Everton have tried to lower the average age of season ticket holders by offering heavily discounted prices in bands for young people up to age 24," said Andy, 60.
'Older fans feel unwanted'
At Tottenham, fans from the Save Our Seniors campaign group have protested at the club's decision to phase out a 50% discount that supporters over the age of 65 currently receive, from the 2025-26 season.
Spurs fan Alan Fisher spoke to BBC Sport at April's North London derby.
"It is an atrocious decision," he said. "It's a message from the club to us as seniors that we're not wanted, and it is a message to every single fan about how they value loyalty. They don't."
"All they want is someone sitting in that seat who is prepared to pay full price."
In response, Tottenham said the number of senior concession season tickets has increased "four fold" since they left White Hart Lane, and the increase "is clearly not sustainable" and will limit choice for others.
Many Crystal Palace fans were among the 129 respondents who said their ticket will remain the same price in 2024-25. The club announced a price freeze on season tickets in all four stands of their Selhurst Park home.
While at Brentford, although prices are going up slightly, fans have now been allowed to spread the cost of their ticket over 12 months, rather than 10.
However, last week one "appalled" Wolves supporters group called for a boycott of Molineux after significant prices rises in some stands. One example was tickets for under-14s in the Billy Wright Upper increased in price from £105 to £290, a rise of 176%.
Other supporters have felt the impact of last minute kick-off changes for TV scheduling. And for clubs who set rules that mean fans must attend a minimum number of games across the season to keep hold of their ticket, this also creates problems.
Manchester United announced their season ticket holders would have to attend 17 of their 19 home matches for next season, or risk losing the opportunity to renew their ticket. After a response from the fans, this was reduced from 17 to 15, and supporters are able to transfer their ticket back to the club or to another member without losing a match.
"For those with disabilities, old age or mental health issues, personal circumstances can mean that last minute you physically can't make it," said Adrian, a United fan.
"It is like saying if I bought a ticket to a concert and couldn't go, then I would in effect be banned from going again - even though I've been a loyal fan for decades."
How the results were collated:
BBC Sport sent the questionnaire to supporters' groups of the 15 Premier League clubs who had details about their season ticket prices for 2024/25.
The number of respondents from each club varied. The results therefore do not represent the league as a whole.
Fans of Manchester United (548), Brentford (444) and Newcastle (126) were the most common respondents. Sheffield United (8), Liverpool (15) and Fulham (22) received the fewest number of responses.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c1660n3j466o
Premier League transfers: Data insights on what each club needs in summer window
How every Premier League team could strengthen this summer based on stats; the 2024 Premier League summer transfer window opens on June 14 - the same day Euro 2024 starts; the window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time.
What does every Premier League team need in the summer transfer window? Sky Sports statistician Paul Harrison dives into the data to find out...
Arsenal
Few flaws can be found in a team who have finished runners-up to Manchester City in successive seasons. However not a single Arsenal player has surpassed 16 Premier League goals in four campaigns.
This season, Kai Havertz's return of nine goals in his final 14 league appearances this season was promising, but Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus failed to reach double figures between them from a combined 54 league appearances, with neither finding the net after January.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa will compete in Europe's elite competition next season for the first time since 1982/83 when they were reigning European champions.
Their defensive record will surely need improvement to reach such heights again. They started and ended the season conceding five goals at Newcastle and Crystal Palace, while no team has conceded more Premier League goals when qualifying for the Champions League.
Only Norwich - who finished third in the inaugural Premier League campaign - have ever finished in the top four and conceded more goals.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth won a club-record 48 Premier League points this season. After a slow start under Andoni Iraola, the Cherries took 42 points from their final 27 league games - a total bettered only by the top four and Chelsea.
Next season's success could depend on retaining top scorer Dominic Solanke as much as any potential incomings. The former Liverpool and Chelsea forward featured in all 38 league games this season - the only Bournemouth player to do so.
Not only were his 19 league goals more than twice as many as any team-mate, but, without them, Bournemouth would have finished 17th in the table - only six points clear of relegation.
Brentford
This season was Brentford's lowest finish (16th) and points total of their three Premier League campaigns (39) - they won just five of their final 24 league games.
For the first half of the season, they caught a glimpse of life without talisman Ivan Toney - something likely to become a permanent feature this summer with only one year left on his contract.
Thomas Frank has acted fast with the signing of Brazilian striker Igor Thiago being confirmed in February. Only Kevin Denkey scored more league goals in Belgium's top tier this season than Thiago, whose conversion rate was nearly three times that of his potential predecessor.
Brighton
Roberto De Zerbi's departure maintains the club's customary seasonal churn within its ranks.
Over the past two years, Brighton have seen key players Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma, Leandro Trossard, Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo depart for significant fees, with Graham Potter following suit in September 2022.
The constant changes have been reflected on the pitch: they made 36 more changes to their starting XI than any other team in the division - only one behind the Premier League record.
Stability and consistency next season could be as important as any new signing.
Chelsea
Chelsea showed signs of progress in the final three months - losing only one of their final 15 league games - but their young squad would benefit from an injection of experience if the top four is a realistic aim.
Thiago Silva, now 39 years of age, will follow Mauricio Pochettino out of the club once his contract expires at the end of June.
The Blues had the youngest average starting XI in the division this season - despite the Brazilian starting 27 games. Replacing him will be key: they conceded eight more goals than any previous Premier League campaign.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace had lost 10 of their previous 17 league games when Oliver Glasner was appointed in February. Following his first game in charge, only Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea won more points.
This transformation was primarily due to the remarkable form of Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who scored a combined 23 league goals in 13 games under the Austrian.
Keeping hold of their attacking trio - and keeping Olise fit - could be the Eagles' best business this summer.
Everton
Without the eight-point deduction, Sean Dyche's team would have finished within touching distance of the top half - winning four of their final six league games.
However, their reliance on set-piece goals will need addressing if a fourth successive relegation dogfight is to be avoided.
The Toffees scored five fewer open-play goals than rock-bottom Sheffield United and easing the burden on Dwight McNeil as their only natural, creative outlet should be a priority.
Fulham
Fulham's hopes of European football disappeared with just two wins in their final nine Premier League games. The Cottagers' late-season slump could be attributed to having the oldest starting XI in the division and using the joint-fewest number of players.
Some younger legs and depth would not go amiss if Fulham were to push for a return to the top half next season.
Ipswich
Successive promotions from League One to the Premier League means expectations at Portman Road are likely to be realistic next season: only six members of their current squad have played previously in England's top tier.
A key issue for Luton this season was the lack of experience at this level, something Kieran McKenna would be wise to address this summer.
Leicester
The Foxes' surprise relegation in 2022/23 was primarily due to their defensive issues. At the other end of the pitch, their 51 league goals matched seventh-placed Aston Villa.
However, their top two scorers that season - Harvey Barnes and James Maddison - departed last summer and the third top scorer, Kelechi Iheanacho, is out of contract this summer.
The burden will be on Jamie Vardy, but, at 37, and after struggling in the Premier League last time out, a guaranteed goalscorer seems a must as Leicester boasted the best defence in the Championship this season.
Liverpool
A summer rebuild was already touted at Anfield before Jurgen Klopp's departure after a trophy-laden eight years at Liverpool.
After a midfield shake-up last summer, the focus is likely to be on defensive reinforcement: Virgil van Dijk's future remains uncertain, Joel Matip's contract has expired, Trent Alexander-Arnold is entering the final 12 months of his current deal and Andy Robertson's injury issues remain a concern.
Their defensive stats this season are noticeably worse than in recent years.
Man City
After winning an unprecedented fourth successive top-flight English league title, Manchester City will be hard-pressed to find any major flaws ahead of the summer.
With Kalvin Phillips expected to depart after two underwhelming seasons, a deputy for the influential Rodri could be a priority: all three of City's league defeats came when the Spaniard was suspended this season.
Man Utd
With Erik ten Hag's future still in the balance, Manchester United's inevitable summer of upheaval could see additions in all areas of the pitch - they have struggled both defensively and offensively.
The departure of the experienced Raphael Varane will leave the club light at the back, especially with Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw's ongoing injury concerns.
They used 14 different centre-back partnerships this season and veteran Jonny Evans clocked more league appearances than any other centre-back at the club. So, a keen eye will be cast over a defence that conceded a Premier League club-record 58 goals this term.
Newcastle
Balancing expectations and Europe was always going to be a challenge for Eddie Howe's side this season. They conceded nearly twice as many league goals this campaign (62) compared to 2022/23 (33), when they had the joint-best defence in the division.
Both full-back positions have been problematic of late and freshening up the backline seems likely - especially if they can retain the services of Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak.
Nottingham Forest
Nuno Santo Espirito's impressive defensive record at Wolves helped persuade Nottingham Forest to appoint him mid-season after axing Steve Cooper. He appeared unconvinced about his goalkeeper options and signed Matz Sels in January.
The Belgian has struggled since joining Forest, with only team-mate Odysseas Vlachodimos and Brighton's Jason Steele registering lower save ratios this season.
A consistent presence between the sticks would help complement an attack that began to gel on the home stretch.
Southampton
Southampton failed to score in only five Championship games this season - the best record in the division.
The Saints often depended on their potent attack to bail out a defence that ranked midtable for goals conceded and clean sheets. Experience and quality at the back are imperative to avoid a second relegation in three seasons.
Tottenham
Another false dawn at Tottenham, who were top of the table and unbeaten after 10 Premier League games under Ange Postecoglou.
Their capitulation in the 4-1 home defeat against Chelsea in November became the norm as the season progressed. Their defensive stats in the final 28 games resembled a team in a relegation battle.
Better midfield protection and competent defensive depth are required - if they are to stand any chance of fighting for a top-four finish next term.
West Ham
With Lucas Paqueta potentially facing a multi-year ban for alleged breaches of betting rules, replacing the Brazil international's creative qualities would be essential.
Paqueta made six times as many through-balls as any team-mate this season and was comfortably their most potent creator from open play.
Only the three relegated teams conceded more goals than West Ham this term, and Paqueta's skillset was one of the key factors behind their ninth-placed finish.
Wolves
A steady but unspectacular debut season for Gary O'Neil ended in disappointment: his team won just one of their final 10 league games.
Goals were rarely an issue for a team boasting the talents of Pedro Neto, Matheus Cunha and Hee-Chan Hwang, but a defence that kept just one clean sheet in their final 17 games will need work if they are to arrest their poor form when the new season arrives.
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in Premier League officially opens on Friday June 14 - the same day that Euro 2024 starts.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time.
The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13143812/premier-league-transfers-data-insights-on-what-each-club-needs-in-summer-window
43-year-old on Burnley FC radar as potential Vincent Kompany replacement
The ex-Bournemouth and Fulham boss Scott Parker has been listed as a potential candidate to take over at Turf Moor.
Former Fulham and Bournemouth manager Scott Parker is on Burnley's list of potential Vincent Kompany replacements, per Alan Nixon via Patreon.
The 43-year-old was most recently seen in the dugout at Belgian side Club Brugge, but lasted only 12 matches in charge before leaving the club in March 2023.
The former tough-tackling midfielder has tasted Championship promotion success on multiple occasions, and could be a dark horse candidate to take the reins at Turf Moor.
Scott Parker is a strong candidate for Burnley manager job
Reporting via his Patreon, journalist Alan Nixon has revealed that Parker is on Burnley's wanted list, as his track record as a player and manager in English football fits the criteria of what The Clarets are looking for.
Nixon states in the report that Parker has emerged as a "strong and leading candidate", as the club begin working through their list of names following Kompany's imminent exit to Bayern Munich, which is yet to be confirmed but soon should be.
The promotions he was able to achieve with both Fulham and Bournemouth respectively, are said to be of large appeal to Burnley's American owners, as they look to make their return to the Championship a short one.
Burnley's ownership - led by chairman Alan Pace - are also said to be eyeing up candidates who have a big name in the world of football.
Former Chelsea, Everton and Derby County manager Frank Lampard is also under consideration for the manager role at the club, whilst former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper is also on the Clarets' shortlist.
Parker is reportedly keen to make his return to management after over a year away from the game, according to Nixon, and despite not having an overly successful stint in Belgium, that isn't thought to be a blow to his prospects of being appointed.
Scott Parker would be a fascinating gamble for Burnley
Taking a year out of management can be seen as both a positive and a negative, depending on how you look at it.
It may well have afforded him the chance to reflect on what he's done well, and what he hasn't. But it could also be cause for concern in regard to how in-tune with the current state of second tier football he is.
Parker has proven himself to be a good manager at Championship level, as two promotions with two clubs is hard to argue with.
But he has yet to prove himself amongst the elite managers in the Premier League, with just nine wins in 52 top-flight games as a manager.
What Parker will bring with him should he be appointed as Burnley's new manager is a possession-based style of football, something that's served him extremely well in the second tier.
Indeed, his play-off winning Fulham side ended the 2019/2020 season with an average of 61.4% possession, second only to Leeds United that year.
Whilst his automatic promotion-winning Bournemouth side ended the 2021/2022 season with an average of 57%, which was third highest in the division that season.
This could mean that Parker is an ideal fit, as Kompany's title-winning Championship side ended the 2022/2023 season with an average possession number of 64.7% - the highest in the entire division.
Parker may well have the tools to steer Burnley straight back to the Premier League, but once they get there, will they find themselves with another manager who can't retain top flight football at Turf Moor?
https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/scott-parker-revealed-as-possible-vincent-kompany-replacement-burnley/
Timothy Castagne interview: 'Fulham had a great season, but run-in was poor'The full-back is loving life in London but wants more from next season
Timothy Castagne has already proven an excellent signing by Fulham and is excited for what is to come after a fine first season at Craven Cottage.
"It's always a lot better in London, of course," the Belgian right-back says, with half a smirk.
As has been the case with so many signings Fulham have made over the last two years, including Joao Palhinha, manager Marco Silva was instrumental in convincing the club and the player that the move was right.
"We spoke quite a lot on the phone," says Castagne, who was also wanted by Juventus. "Then it took a long time for me to come, which was a bit frustrating because I was waiting for the move and just training at Leicester.
"I liked what [Silva] said, what his ideas were. I took a few days to think about it with my wife and we knew what we wanted to do. I wanted to join. My first season has been great. I've felt at home straight away. I think I was very consistent."
Castagne played in all but one of Fulham's 34 league games since his £15million signing from the Foxes, immediately ousting Kenny Tete as first-choice right-back.
He continued: "I've helped more with assists and scoring [since January], but I know I can do more. If I can do better, we can go higher in the table."
Castagne — who was briefly coached during his youth career by the father of Fulham team-mate Andreas Pereira — admits "sometimes it is not easy" to find chemistry with the wingers ahead of him.
"One game you're with Bobby [De Cordova-Reid], then one with Alex [Iwobi], or H [Harry Wilson] or Adama [Traore]. Each brings something different, so the more I play with them the more I understand them.
"At full-back, you now have [to have] a lot of great offensive output but maybe a bit less defensive stuff. But in this system, you have to be able to do both. I'm able to do both, and [so are] Jedi [left-back Antonee Robinson] or Kenny Tete."
There's no point in having a great season and then not getting results in the last five, six or seven games
Timothy Castagne
Fulham finished 10th as a newly promoted side last season. Two wins from their last nine games killed hopes of another top-half finish this term; they settled instead for 13th.
"The end of the season, we didn't play good enough," Castagne says. "Before Sheffield [United] and Nottingham Forest, we were looking at maybe eighth position.
"Then you get one point out of six and we didn't recover from that; it went a bit downhill.
"Definitely a big improvement, but there's no point in having a great season and then not getting results in the last five, six or seven games and basically just losing the objective. That's what we'll try to do better next season: have the same season but just finish better. We'll see what happens."
Before that, Castagne's attention pivots to Euro 2024. He hopes to fare better than at Euro 2020, when his tournament lasted just 27 minutes before a fractured eye socket in Belgium's opener against Russia saw him miss the rest of their run to the quarter-finals.
"It was a big disappointment, my first Euros. I want to come back and have a good one this time," he insists.
"Also, [there is] extra motivation after the World Cup, that we went out like that [in the group stage]. We have a young team with a lot of motivation, and that can go both ways."
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/timothy-castagne-interview-fulham-fc-b1160515.html
Fulham man an 'outstanding option' for club – Player ready to make the move
Mexican side Club América are eyeing a move for Fulham's Raúl Jiménez this summer as a replacement for Julián Quiñones, who appears set to move to Saudi Arabia.
That's according to Infobae, who report that the Fulham striker is seen as the 'outstanding option' for the club to replace their departing star.
They explain that Club América are in the middle of a crucial week as they're set to face Cruz Azul in the Clausura Tournament Final as well as potentially losing Quiñones as he's received a bid from Saudi Arabia.
The club's board, with Héctor González Iñárritu and Santiago Baños, are preparing to look for replacements and Jiménez is seen as the 'outstanding option'.
He started his career at the club before moving to Atletico Madrid in 2014 and has been in Europe ever since, moving to Benfica, Wolves and now Fulham.
He's long made it clear he would like to return to the Mexican side at some point in his career and is 'willing to return' this summer.
Why that is the case isn't made clear, but he is in the final year of his contract at Fulham and has found himself replaced by Rodrigo Muniz this season so perhaps that is behind the idea.
Either way he is open to the idea and Club América are ready to explore the idea should Quiñones head to Saudi Arabia.
http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-man-outstanding-option-club-player-ready-make-move/
Season Ticket Renewals Deadline This Friday(https://images.webapi.fulhamfc.com/fit-in/1600x1600/4fb7be60-039f-11ef-9ddb-fffc39b6d911.jpg)
Season Ticket Holders are reminded that they have until 5pm on Friday 31st May to renew their existing seat for the 2024/25 campaign.2023/24 Season Ticket Holders' seats are currently on hold and have an exclusive renewal price until this Friday's deadline.
A Season Ticket continues to offer the best value to watch top-flight football at Craven Cottage, guaranteeing a seat for all 19 Premier League home matches.
Fans are reminded the deadline to apply for a finance option to spread the cost of your season ticket, through our credit partner V12 Finance, is 5pm on Tuesday 28th May.
Further information on 2024/25 Season Tickets can be found here.
RENEW NOW
How to renew
Online
Ensure you're logged into your OneFulham account
Visit tickets.fulhamfc.com
Click 'Profile'
Navigate to 'Reserved Tickets'
By Phone
Contact the Fulham FC Ticket Office on 0203 871 0810
Review our extended phone line hours here
In Person
Visit the Fulham FC Ticket Office at Craven Cottage, Stevenage Road
Open to personal callers from 9:30am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday
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Sign up to the 2024/25 Season Ticket Waiting List
To be first in line to hear about your options for next season, supporters who do not hold a 2023/24 Season Ticket should join the Season Ticket Waiting List.
The Waiting List will close at 9am on Tuesday 4th June, so sign up today to avoid disappointment.
2024/25 Season Tickets will then go on sale* to supporters on the Waiting List on Wednesday 5th June, 10am.
JOIN NOW
*Subject to availability following the closure of the renewal period.https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/may/28/season-ticket-renewals-deadline-this-friday/