Arsenal supporters left paying the price of on-field success as ticket price rises inevitable

Naturally and understandably the first emotion that goes through your mind is frustration. At least that is what I know as an Arsenal fan myself but as a friend of hundreds of others who also attend the Emirates Stadium as season ticket holders, an increase in price for the second successive season has raised eyebrows and will further challenge pockets.

Arsenal announced an increase in season ticket prices for the 2024/25 season and as a result of the rise plus the additional fixture from the expansion of the UEFA Champions League from a six-game to an eight-game first stage, upper-tier tickets have gone up by 6% and lower tier tickets by 4%. The club say that this will be an increase of £113 on average in the upper tier and an increase of £103 in the lower tier.

Arsenal however explain on the club website that it works out lower than this after refunds. Stating: «As General Admission season ticket holders are owed the difference between a category A and category B game following all three 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Group Stage fixtures being categorised as Bs, the actual increased outlay for renewing season ticket holders will be an additional £73.68 on Upper Tier and £72.58 on Lower Tier. These increases are based on average Upper and Lower Tier season tickets.»

On one hand, there are admittedly explanations behind the rises. Fans will be feeling the impacts of the current state of the economy with nearly everything going up in price and these also affect the club’s operating costs which are further increased by the addition of an extra home game in the Champions League next season.

The club this January were unable to sign any players as they look to work sustainably and within the confines of the strict Profit and