Champions League final costs soar for Spurs and Liverpool fans

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Quarter Finals and Semi Finals Draw - Nyon, Switzerland - March 15, 2019 General view of the trophy before the draw REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool fans' joy at reaching the Champions League final has been dampened by the eye-watering costs of travelling to Madrid for the June 1 showdown.

Return tickets on budget airlines, normally available for around 100 pounds, have spiralled to as much as 1,500 pounds, while nightly hotel rates in the Spanish capital have soared from 100-150 euros to over 1,000 euros.

With prices for flights to other Spanish cities or even neighbouring countries also prohibitive, fans are seeking other ways to make the 1,100-1,300 mile (1,800-2,100 km) trek from London or Liverpool to Madrid, including driving or taking a coach.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - March 31, 2019 Liverpool fans before the match REUTERS/Andrew Yates/File Photo

But getting there is only half the problem.

Each club has been allocated only 16,613 tickets for the all-English final in the 68,000-seat Wanda Metropolitano stadium - a fraction of the number likely to want to attend.

A joint statement by the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust and Liverpool's Spirit of Shankly said the allocation was "miserly", and that it was time for consumer protection to stop firms profiting disproportionately from fan loyalty.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Tottenham Hotspur fans react during the Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Ajax Amsterdam v Tottenham Hotspur - The Bricklayers, Tottenham, London, Britain - May 8, 2019 Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra/File Photo

"This has been a sensational Champions League campaign for Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC, with fans of both clubs now looking forward to the final in Madrid on 1 June," the statement said.

"But supporters' joy has been tempered by the extortionate costs of travel, accommodation and tickets -- if they get a ticket at all with the measly allocation from UEFA."

They called for more transparency from UEFA and the clubs in the allocation and pricing of tickets.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur fans react before the Champions League Semi Final Second Leg in Amsterdam - Ajax Amsterdam v Tottenham Hotspur - Amsterdam, Netherlands - May 8, 2019 A Tottenham Hotspur fan holds up a scarf before the match Action Images via Reuters/Tom Jacobs/File Photo

"For many, the final is not a one-off event. It is the culmination of a season-long journey for fans, who have spent thousands of pounds already travelling to support their team, bringing the spectacle and atmosphere that is a key part of the game so prized by television," the statement said.

"It is time to stop cashing in on fan loyalty."

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 General view of a badge covered hat worn by a Liverpool fan before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur fans react before the Champions League Semi Final Second Leg in Amsterdam - Ajax Amsterdam v Tottenham Hotspur - Amsterdam, Netherlands - May 8, 2019 Tottenham Hotspur fans react before the match Action Images via Reuters/Tom Jacobs/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 General view of Liverpool fans outside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Liverpool v FC Barcelona - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 7, 2019 Liverpool fans before the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine/File Photo