I signed a parliamentary motion, alongside 28 other Members of Parliament, expressing serious concern at the trend of annual ticket price increases for Premier League football.
Football broadcast revenues are expected to rise to £6.7 billion over the next four years while ticket prices have increased far above the rate of inflation.
These unnecessary ticket price increases risk pricing out working class and young support.
This continued squeeze on local and dedicated fans poses an existential threat to the culture and community of football
The motion reads:
“That this House raises serious concerns at the trend of annual ticket price increases for Premier League football, as highlighted by the Football Supporters’ Association’s Stop Exploiting Loyalty campaign; believes working class and young supporters are being priced out; fears that squeezing local and dedicated fans poses an existential threat to the culture and community of football; opposes the price increases of season tickets and the creation of higher price bands in equal measure; condemns attacks on concessions for older, younger, and disabled fans; disapproves of Arsenal FC’s 3-4% increase to all tickets and introduction of a ‘Category A+’ ticket costing £168; recognises Everton FC’s new £800 million stadium sits alongside Liverpool FC’s stadium within one of the country’s most deprived constituencies and believes major regeneration projects must remain accessible to local communities, particularly with tickets priced up to £75 and season tickets up to £900; encourages Liverpool and Everton to announce freezes in ticket prices and lead the way in putting supporters first in a city where one-third of families face food insecurity; sees the argument that price increases are necessary due to inflation as misleading, given the average Liverpool ticket in 1992 (inaugural Premier League season) would now cost £14 when adjusted for CPI inflation, rather than close to £50; notes broadcast revenue rises to £6.7 billion over the next four years prove football does not have an income problem; urges all clubs to engage with supporters’ groups on this issue; and agrees football without fans is nothing.”
You can read the motion here: link