The luxury of seeing City-Arsenal

Attend live some of the most important Premier League matches, such as Manchester City-Arsenal on Sunday, which will be decided for the final result of the English league, are starting to become a privilege, as if they were a pleasure in ‘premium’ entertainment, or ‘the opera of football’, available only to an elite of viewers. Fans of English clubs have been protesting for months against the general increase in ticket prices, which they consider “disproportionate”, and fear an increasing trend, prioritizing the sale of tickets, at higher prices , to tourists or foreign followers.

In the global world that following football has become, many fans are willing to pay whatever they are asked to enjoy the unique experience of an English stadium. Under pressure to clear accounts and adhere to strict maintenance controls, most Premier League clubs, and especially the so-called ‘Big Six’ (Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur)they are no longer hiding when it comes to making ‘tickets’ more expensive, and especially for matches with the highest expectations, such as City-Arsenalthis Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.

For most teams, increased fundraising is the only way to offset rising budgets and maintain balance in their account balances. Generally, watching a Premier League match, in the cheapest seats, costs between 35 and 55 pounds, always bought in advance. Most clubs have different ‘categories’ of matches, and matches in the big leagues are more expensive than matches against newly promoted teams, such as this year. Sheffield Unitedhe Burnley or the Town of Luton.

Tickets for visiting groups are capped at £30 for the whole league, although they must be bought under registration and in advance, a hard-fought concession by English fans, who spend their money following the their teams around the world. country. For ‘Big Six’ matches, the reality is that there is very little chance of getting a visitor’s ticket, without resorting to astronomical resales.

Of the 20 Premier League clubs, 17 of them increased their ticket prices, by percentages ranging from 6 to 15%, arguing the weight of inflation suffered by the United Kingdom. He Tottenham Hotspur had to endure constant demonstrations from its followers, accusing its leaders of “exploiting the loyalty of their fans” and “insulting their lifelong followers,” with a 6% increase in the season’s price tickets. season and to eliminate renewals for those over 60, the ‘senior’ group. In return, they decry, the north London club prefers ‘plastic fans’, the nickname by which the most passive foreign spectators are ironically described in England.

The most expensive price

A similar situation of tension is experienced by Chelsea. Its owner, the American Todd Boehly, has angered ‘blues’ fans in south-west London for wanting to squeeze revenue from matches, and setting the most expensive ticket price in Premier history, at 5,000 pounds. It was during the visit of Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, on April 4. Clubs are now prioritizing the ‘premium hospitality’ or ‘Dugout club’ category of tickets, aimed at companies and tourists, with the aim of enjoying matches close to the stars . The seats behind the bench Chelsea will cost £2,000 more than the league’s most expensive season ticket, which can be found at the iconic stadium Fulhamon the banks of the River Thames, Craven Cottage, which is £3,000.

The case of Fulham It is paradigmatic. It has just launched tickets for its new and refurbished Riverside stand, with its stunning terrace and incredible panoramic views of the River Thames and London’s iconic skyline, which can cost upwards of £3,000 , depending on demand. This is a personal bet from the president of the ‘cottagers’, the businessman of Pakistani origin Shahid Khan which he justified with strategic ambition: “It is a premium experience unlike anything else in football, here in London or anywhere else in the world, and which will also benefit Fulham’s long-term future.” In return, he says, most of the seats at Craven Cottage can be “protected” and cost around £60.

class war

The class war for English football fans is at the center of the debate, and although the stadium of Fulham, one of the most traditional, is in one of the wealthy areas of London, it is not the only club that introduces the concept of ‘premium hospitality’, to increase income. So are other clubs in the capital of London.

He City of Manchester does not want to be left behind, and seeks to compete on equal terms. It currently has the second most expensive elite ticket, at £4,200, which includes many extras or privileges, such as luxury, padded heated seats, executive transport to the Etihad Stadium, as well as viewing to the players in the tunnel. rooms, and a ‘premium’ dining experience. This is the new trend of the Premier League, which makes you pay for the show, to take advantage of the luxury of having the league with the most goals and the most exciting football.