West Ham to enforce ‘London-based premium’ after price hike – sources
West Ham fans could be set to fork out more money every season as ticket prices are expected to continue increasing, sources have told Football Insider.
The east Londoners are one of several Premier League clubs to have raised their prices ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Alongside the price hike, West Ham have restricted new concessions season tickets to bands five and six, which are typically located towards the top of the London Stadium.
A group of supporters have launched a petition calling on West Ham chiefs to scrap the price increase and take away the new terms for concessions season tickets.
But sources have told Football Insider ticket prices are only likely to increase further for Hammers fans, with a “London-based premium” set to be applied over the next few years.
West Ham ticket prices to rise as ‘big issue’ around the corner
The most expensive tickets for West Ham’s game against Manchester City on 31 August will set fans back up to £120, while the cheapest seats are £55.
The same pricing system also applies to Under-18s, OAPs and accessibility tickets after concessions have been scrapped.
Vice-chairman Karren Brady revealed in an open letter to fans on 9 July the “small price uplift” has meant the club are able to continue investing in the playing squad for the season ahead.
Although finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider the ticket-price hike could significantly increase West Ham’s spending power in years to come, he warned it’s not sustainable for the extra cash to just be put towards topping up the players’ wages.
But the London club aren’t alone in pushing their prices up after a report revealed 70 of the 92 Premier League and EFL clubs have raised their season ticket prices for next season.
Arsenal’s cheapest adult season ticket has risen by 10.3 per cent to £1,073, while Manchester United’s rates have gone up by 5 per cent after previously freezing their prices for 11 consecutive campaigns.
Sources have told Football Insider rising ticket prices are set to become a “big issue” in the game as fans start to push back against substantial increases.
Wolves were recently criticised after announcing a series of price increases for next season, including raising the cost of some tickets by 17 per cent and one category of Under-14s tickets by 176 per cent from £105 to £290.
But the Premier League club have since scrapped the plans to increase ticket prices for Under-14s and agreed to freeze the cost of adult tickets following a fan backlash.
Football Insider revealed on 4 July the new Labour government could look to regulate the price of tickets after gaining power from the Conservatives.
But Premier League clubs are expected to strongly resist any attempt to cap ticket prices as they look to continue setting their own rates.
In other news, West Ham expect defender bids after £35million reveal.
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