BBC Price of Football Survey

The BBC have released details of their comprehensive survey of ticket prices and other costs associated with attending matches, both in the UK and abroad, and as usual it is generating plenty of interest and follow-up stories.

Some of the issues have been touched upon here at Affordable Football and it is no surprise to see some of the focus now fall upon the fact that watching a game in the Championship, certainly as an away supporter, can often be more expensive than in the top-flight.

I’ve got limited sympathy for Championship clubs, many of whom are spending big amounts in the transfer market in a bid to reach the Premier League and who also seem increasingly dominant within the ‘EFL’ itself, as the Football League Trophy fiasco illustrates.

But it is becoming increasingly difficult for League One and Two clubs to compete on price given the rising costs that they face and with the income distribution model weighted against them. Maintaining full-time football, in modern, well-kept stadiums in towns throughout England will get harder and harder for these clubs.

Elsewhere, FA WSL receives positive praise for its ticket prices, the average in WSL1 being less than £5, but does face a challenge now, with the transition to a winter season, to maintain interest and ensure a competitive top-flight that is not increasingly dominated by one team.

The Welsh Premier League is also cited as a value for money outlet to watch your football, with 2015 prices held and matchday tickets costing £10 or less per game, and I know from writing this blog for the past three-and-a-half years how hard many of the clubs there work to attract new supporters.

Speaking of which, in addition to Aberystwyth Town’s annual student night for the game against Cefn Druids on Friday, Llandudno FC are offering half-price admission when Bala Town are the visitors on Saturday. This means entrance will cost £4 Adults, £2.50 and 50p.

And, one club who earn nothing but praise in the ‘Price of Football’ survey are Huddersfield Town and the the club have reduced individual prices for the televised Wigan Athletic home game on Monday 28 November to £10 Adults, £5 Over-60’s and unaccompanied U-18’s and £1 for accompanied U-18’s (must be pre-purchased).