Footy regulator must police ticket prices to save concessions for future fans

The West Ham United Supporters’ Trust (WHUST) has called on MPs scrutinising the Football Governance Bill to make sure the regulator’s powers cover ticket prices.

WHUST has demanded:

  1.   The proposed independent regulator for English football must have the power to intervene on ticket pricing

  2.   Proper fan consultation must include ticket pricing

  3. There must be protection for concessionary ticket pricing

WHUST said in its submission: “Recent weeks have seen Premier League clubs announce price rises that are orders of magnitude above current inflation rates. But worse, they have almost uniformly announced attacks on concessionary ticket prices – for seniors and juniors. This behaviour shows why MPs must act urgently to save our sport for the fans.”

The Fan-Led Review excluded ticket prices from regulation. It said: “While it is a legitimate area of significant interest to fans, IREF should not set the level of ticket prices or merchandise prices. These are commercial decisions that clubs should be free to make.” That has proved to be a misguided error.

The Football Governance Bill that has already had its second reading in Parliament does not include the word “ticket”.

Most football fans have had their gas and electric bills held by OfGem’s price cap. Thames Water wants to hike bills by 40% but the water regulator OfWat has a say. And regulators protect the poor and vulnerable against unscrupulous and predatory firms.

WHUST told MPs: “A regulator that cannot regulate the cost to consumers and protect concessions will be no regulator at all.”

West Ham claims to be the “home of affordable family football”. This season it announced headline 6%-14% price increases for season tickets. But this was the tip of the iceberg. There will be no new concession seats except in the lower bands – five and six.

A band four child ticket was £115 this season. A senior concession was £325. No new discount seats will be available – they will all cost £670. A new child’s seat will have risen more than 480%, while newly retired supporters will be paying more than double the price their predecessors paid.

Nb: There are two-year deals available in the lower bands and the 14% rise was the child’s two-year season ticket.

The club presented this to West Ham fan groups (seven currently on the Independent Supporters Committee, ISC). ISC members objected in the strongest possible terms. The club refused to enter into any further communication. There was no consultation. The price rises and attack on concessions were presented as a fait accompli.

WHUST told politicians: “MPs must act now to ensure clubs cannot ignore fans and attack those most vulnerable.”

WHUST is also urging West Ham fans to write to their MP urging them to intervene on this issue.

WHUST