Where Has Our Arsenal Gone calls for further measures, following price freeze announcement
29 January 2013
We note with interest the club’s announcement to freeze ticket prices for the 2013/14 season, following an “assessment of the current economic climate and feedback from fans’ groups”.
Our letter to Ivan Gazidis on 9 January called for price freezes as a bare minimum, therefore while we applaud the club’s decision not to pass on any further ticket price increases for the time being, we call on the Board to consider further measures - some of which we've already suggested to them. These would include initiatives such as:
A review of FA Cup ticket categorisation
At present all FA Cup games are classed as Category B in terms of pricing; a level set by the club (no matter the opponent) because if Category C prices were applied to any FA Cup matches it would mean that a season ticket holder had paid more for his/her ticket than a general member who’d purchased individual tickets for every match. The club stated to us very recently that this was being looked into, and we encourage them to follow through and do the right thing for fans. Reduce season ticket prices where necessary, and allow other members to pay Category C prices if the fixture is appropriate; don't keep season ticket prices higher than they should be, while coining it in by overcharging other members who buy on a match-by-match basis.
The introduction of a ‘Lite’ season ticket
This would allow the option of a season ticket covering league games only. Benefits would be two-fold: hard-pressed fans could choose a cheaper option, paying for 19 games up front instead of 26, while other members would get more access to UEFA competition and FA Cup tickets. The club said to us recently that demand was as strong as ever for tickets to our matches, so there should be no trouble in selling these extra tickets.
A short-term season ticket repayment scheme
This scheme would see season ticket holders given the option to spread the cost of their ticket over three payments (1 June, 1 July and 1 August). The club could apply a small admin fee for those choosing this option (recouping any potential loss of interest) and it would avoid sending fans down the route of credit agreements with other financial institutions – a responsible move in these tough economic times.
A review of ticket pricing for European competition
Should Arsenal fail to qualify for the Champions League this season, and end up playing in next season’s Europa League, we believe there should be a reduction in ticket prices for this competition. The Board need to appreciate that fans should not have to pay Champions League ticket prices, for what is a second rate European competition.
The announcement from Arsenal today said that the freeze would mean no increases in price, but we believe the Board should be doing more to recognise the loyalty of our matchgoing fans.
Given the increased revenue that the new Premier League TV deals will bring to the club next season, coupled with our new £150m sponsorship deal with Emirates (and further commercial successes we hear are imminent) we will continue to press for measures which lighten the financial burden that our fans have had to bear for too long.
Up The Gunners.
We note with interest the club’s announcement to freeze ticket prices for the 2013/14 season, following an “assessment of the current economic climate and feedback from fans’ groups”.
Our letter to Ivan Gazidis on 9 January called for price freezes as a bare minimum, therefore while we applaud the club’s decision not to pass on any further ticket price increases for the time being, we call on the Board to consider further measures - some of which we've already suggested to them. These would include initiatives such as:
A review of FA Cup ticket categorisation
At present all FA Cup games are classed as Category B in terms of pricing; a level set by the club (no matter the opponent) because if Category C prices were applied to any FA Cup matches it would mean that a season ticket holder had paid more for his/her ticket than a general member who’d purchased individual tickets for every match. The club stated to us very recently that this was being looked into, and we encourage them to follow through and do the right thing for fans. Reduce season ticket prices where necessary, and allow other members to pay Category C prices if the fixture is appropriate; don't keep season ticket prices higher than they should be, while coining it in by overcharging other members who buy on a match-by-match basis.
The introduction of a ‘Lite’ season ticket
This would allow the option of a season ticket covering league games only. Benefits would be two-fold: hard-pressed fans could choose a cheaper option, paying for 19 games up front instead of 26, while other members would get more access to UEFA competition and FA Cup tickets. The club said to us recently that demand was as strong as ever for tickets to our matches, so there should be no trouble in selling these extra tickets.
A short-term season ticket repayment scheme
This scheme would see season ticket holders given the option to spread the cost of their ticket over three payments (1 June, 1 July and 1 August). The club could apply a small admin fee for those choosing this option (recouping any potential loss of interest) and it would avoid sending fans down the route of credit agreements with other financial institutions – a responsible move in these tough economic times.
A review of ticket pricing for European competition
Should Arsenal fail to qualify for the Champions League this season, and end up playing in next season’s Europa League, we believe there should be a reduction in ticket prices for this competition. The Board need to appreciate that fans should not have to pay Champions League ticket prices, for what is a second rate European competition.
The announcement from Arsenal today said that the freeze would mean no increases in price, but we believe the Board should be doing more to recognise the loyalty of our matchgoing fans.
Given the increased revenue that the new Premier League TV deals will bring to the club next season, coupled with our new £150m sponsorship deal with Emirates (and further commercial successes we hear are imminent) we will continue to press for measures which lighten the financial burden that our fans have had to bear for too long.
Up The Gunners.
