Fulham fans slam ‘disgusting’ season ticket price hikes and threaten to leave following club over staggering cost
FULHAM will not slash its new season ticket prices despite fan protests over “draconian” price increases.
The west Londoners announced this week that season tickets would rise by at least 18 per cent across the board, with the top ticket costing a whopping £3,000.
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This will earn fans a “Platinum” seat in the top tier of the club’s new Riverside Stand, although it does not include hospitality.
Compared to clubs across the board this season, it costs almost £1000 more than the next most expensive general admission season ticket to Tottenham.
The Fulham Supporters’ Trust has urged the club to reconsider pricing and keep increases below inflation in an open letter to owner Shahid Khan, saying the increases have caused “stress, fear, anger and disillusionment” among fans caused.
Their letter read: “While we understand the importance of ensuring the club’s long-term sustainability, we believe there are better ways of achieving this than the recent draconian ticket announcements.
“Therefore we urge you to take a serious look at this issue and how it can be addressed in a way that benefits both the club and its fans.
“Additionally, we are raising concerns about the pricing structure for the Riverside booth.
“£3,000 seats appear to be among the most expensive non-hospitality season tickets in football globally.
“While we appreciate the investment and support you have made to Fulham both on and off the pitch, we believe this pricing structure does not align with the financial realities faced by many of our loyal fans.”
Fulham insist the price hikes were not a decision by Khan, who recently wrote off £40.5m and invested heavily in Craven Cottage and the squad, which the Trust recognizes.
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The cheapest ticket for the new Riverside stand is £1250, a 25 per cent increase on this season when a limited section was opened to fans before fully opening later this year.
Junior prices have also increased by as much as 58 percent in some areas.
However, Fulham still offer adult season tickets for families at £455, cheaper than the lowest-priced season ticket at similar clubs like Nottingham Forest, Everton and Brighton.
The club stress that the decision to raise prices, which have risen at Hammersmith Stand by an average of two per cent a year since 2004, was made in response to rising costs across the board and to comply with Premier League profit and sustainability rules.
Senior figures at the club are keen to have an open dialogue with fans who held their monthly meeting with the Trust this week.
However, supporters within the trust were furious at being given only four hours’ notice of the price announcement, saying it was “not a meaningful consultation”.
There was also backlash to the news on social media, with angry supporters speaking out.
One fan said: “This could be my last season as a season ticket holder in over 20 years. I’ve started every home and away game despite living 300 miles from the cottage.
“It’s heartbreaking to see so many longtime hardcore fans and families being banned from the game. Never thought this would happen at our club.”
Another added: “£100 raise in H6, and that’s before you mention any of the other price increases. I’ve had a season ticket for 13 years and this could be the end! Disgusting from the club! So out of touch!”
A third said: “Wow! 3k? Understand it (just now) if we were a team fighting for the top 8 every season 🤣🤣!
“The people buying these seats have more money than they have sense. As the fans are more likely to see a repeat of last Saturday’s performances against West Ham I’ll pass but thanks for the opportunity.
And another commented, “This pricing strategy is alienating much of the loyal fan base.”