Despite continuing protests from fans’ groups about the rising cost of football, the average price of the cheapest tickets across the English game has risen by 13% since 2011.
According to new figures compiled by the BBC’s annual Price of Football survey, the cheapest tickets have increased by 15.8% in the Premier League during that time. The study found that the average price of the cheapest ticket had risen at almost twice the rate of the cost of living since it began in 2011.
Over the past 12 months, during which there has been increased pressure from supporters’ groups over prices for away fans in particular, the cheapest tickets have risen an average of 4.4% from £20.58 to £21.49 – more than treble the rate of inflation which is 1.2%.
Chelsea’s cheapest ticket, at £50, is the most expensive in England. The most expensive top-priced match day ticket is at the Emirates, although the £97 charged by Arsenal is a reduction of £29 on their highest price last season.
The Emirates also remains the most expensive place in England to buy a season ticket, although it does include seven credits for cup competitions. Their most expensive costs £2,013 while their cheapest is £1,014 – more than the top-priced season ticket at 17 other top flight clubs. The only exceptions are Tottenham Hotspur (£1,895) and Chelsea (£1,250).
Arsenal’s minority shareholders are preparing to table a question at Thursday’s annual general meeting about ticket prices, which have consistently been the highest in the country.
According to the BBC’s survey, Manchester City have the cheapest season ticket in the Premier League at £299. Charlton Athletic’s season ticket, at £150, is the cheapest across the top four divisions in England.
Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday’s £10 match day ticket is the cheapest in the top four leagues in England – only matched by Southport in the Conference.
In Scotland, Annan charge £120 for their cheapest season ticket, the lowest price in either England or Scotland.
The Scottish League One side, Albion Rovers and Elgin City also charge the least for a match-day ticket, at £10. The most expensive season ticket is sold by Celtic, at £600.
The survey also takes into account the cost of replica shirts and match day food and drink. Manchester United and Manchester City charge the most for a replica shirt at £55, with Hull City’s the cheapest at £39.99.
The Conference side Kidderminster Harriers have the most expensive pie among the clubs covered by the survey at £4.50. In the Premier League, Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Southampton have the most expensive pie at £4.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Southampton sell the most expensive cups of tea at £2.50, while Burnley and Manchester City have the cheapest tea in the Premier League at £1.80. The cheapest can be bought at the Conference club Braintree and the Women’s Super League 2 club Sunderland Ladies. Both charge 80p.
• This article was amended on 15 October 2015 to include the fact that Arsenal’s top-price season ticket is £2,013 and that their season tickets include seven credits for cup competitions.
