November 17 – The cost of watching English top-flight football, for years deemed prohibitive for average-earning fans, has fallen in the first season of a record £8 billion global TV rights deal according to a BBC survey.
The survey found that more than two thirds of ticket prices have been either cut or frozen this season, with an away ticket in the second tier Championship at times more expensive than for a Premier League match, and top-flight clubs having capped prices for visiting fans at £30.
“Clubs are listening to their fans and working hard to make sure that Premier League football is accessible as well as competitive and compelling,” the Premier League said in a statement.
With the 2016-2019 Premier League TV rights deal coming into effect top-flight clubs will each benefit by a minimum of £100 million and appear to have eased the burden on fans as a result.
The survey found that the average cost of the cheapest adult home Premier League ticket has decreased by six percent (from £30.95 to £29.05), while a cap of £30 on away tickets has led to the average cost of the most expensive away ticket dropping 37% (from £46.44 to £29.44).
Malcolm Clarke, chairman of England’s Football Supporters’ Federation suggested prices could be cut further.
“On their current £8.3 billion deal, the Premier League could afford to let every single fan in free for every game and still have as much money as they had under the previous deal,” he was quoted as saying by the BBC.
“That gives you an idea of the scale of the amount of money they have got.”
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