The Unity of Football Fans Against Rising Ticket Prices
Football fans are often seen as tribal, fiercely loyal to their respective clubs. Yet, when it comes to the issue of ticket prices, there is a rare and unified front. "We are all fighting the same fight on ticket prices," says Duncan Drasdo, CEO of the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust. "Clubs are exploiting loyalty, and fans are united in saying enough is enough." The discontent has grown this season, with 19 out of 20 Premier League clubs raising their ticket prices before the 2024-25 season. The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) launched a campaign titled "Stop Exploiting Loyalty" in response. Protests have intensified, particularly as some clubs have removed concessionary discounts for the elderly and young people, and teams like Arsenal have announced further increases for the 2025-26 season.
The Financial Power of Premier League Clubs
Premier League clubs are financial powerhouses, generating almost 1 billion euros (£830 million) from ticket sales to home matches in 2023, according to a Uefa report. This figure is growing at a rate of about 10% per year and is nearly double that of Spain’s La Liga (£481 million) and Germany’s Bundesliga (£430 million). The report, which analyzed financial data from over 700 clubs, reveals that six of the top 10 clubs generating the most income from gate receipts are English. Moreover, these six Premier League clubs also feature in the top 12 for another crucial metric: the amount of money earned per fan per ticket.
The Impact of Stadium Expansions and Premium Seating
The Uefa report highlights the significant role that stadium expansions and premium seating have played in boosting gate revenues. Clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Manchester City have seen their revenues double since 2009 due to these expansions. Arsenal and Tottenham, with their modern stadiums in one of the world’s most-visited cities, have also benefited from sales of high-value hospitality seats. Dr. Dan Plumley, a senior lecturer in sport finance at Sheffield Hallam University, explains, "On a basic financial level, it makes sense because you can generate more revenue from premium seating than from regular seats. However, if this comes at the cost of average fans being priced out, it’s a significant issue that clubs need to address."
The Financial Challenges of Premier League Clubs
Despite the impressive revenue figures, Premier League clubs are not immune to financial challenges. The Uefa report reveals that English clubs reported a combined loss of £728 million before tax in 2023. This is partly due to the increasing operational expenses and the need to comply with financial regulations. TV rights deals, which have traditionally been a primary revenue source, are showing signs of plateauing. Consequently, clubs are under pressure to maximize matchday income and commercial and sponsorship revenues to offset significant spending on transfers, wages, and running costs. Premier League clubs spent £4 billion on player wages in 2023, almost double that of Spain (£2.1 billion). Four English clubs—Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal—have squads that cost more than 1 billion euros (£830 million) to assemble, with Chelsea’s squad being the most expensive in history.
The Rising Operating Costs
Operating costs have risen by 12% across Europe, with Premier League clubs spending a total of £1.5 billion in 2023, nearly £500 million more than their German counterparts. These costs, which include utilities and non-player wages, absorb almost half of the revenue for big-five European league clubs. Manchester United’s recent plans to make up to 450 redundancies and cut about 39% of its workforce to return to profitability have brought the issue of operational efficiency to the forefront. Tom Greatrex, chair of the FSA, acknowledges the rise in operational costs but criticizes the recurring increases in ticket prices. "Increasing ticket prices way beyond the level of inflation, year after year, is treating people as though they’re idiots," he says.
The Growth in Non-Player Wages
Non-player wages, including those paid to staff such as coaches, media departments, and ticket office personnel, have also seen a sharp rise. Premier League clubs employed a total of 11,081 full-time employees by the end of 2023, paying a total of £1 billion in non-player wages, more than double that of second-placed Germany. The average top 20 club in Europe has 970 full-time employees, with Barcelona leading the pack with 1,781. Four Premier League teams—Manchester United, Brighton, Liverpool, and Manchester City—employ more than 1,000 full-time staff members. The increase in non-player wages is attributed to the clubs’ push to expand commercial and sponsorship activities, which have seen a 39% rise in income since 2019. Plumley notes, "Commercial income is almost untapped in terms of potential, and there is no restriction on the number of deals you can sign. This growth is a natural consequence of how the game has evolved, with everyone pushing for growth, growth, growth."
In conclusion, while Premier League clubs are financially robust, the rising costs and ticket prices are causing significant dissatisfaction among fans. The challenge for clubs will be to find a balance between financial sustainability and maintaining the loyalty of their fan base.
