Newcastle announce new season ticket prices as club respond to ‘profit over people’ plea

Newcastle announce new season ticket prices as club respond to ‘profit over people’ plea

Toons have argued that their season ticket pricing ‘benchmark well’ following a hike that has left the NUST ‘disappointed’.

Newcastle have frozen pricing for all junior categories for 2024/25,

while thousands of St James’ Park fans will continue to pay levels established in 2011 as part of a long-term price freeze agreement.

However, prices for all remaining season ticket categories will climb by 5%, for a combined average of 3.3% across the stadium.

Adult standard seating costs are now as follows: £345 in Row X and Y (blocks A-H in the Milburn Stand family area);

£460 in the family area; £662 in seating category 3; £727 in sitting category 2; and £895 in seating category 1.

The Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust, which was ‘disappointed to read of the rise’,

expressed its concerns to CEO Darren Eales earlier this week in a letter.

The trust asked Eales to “resist the temptation to prioritise profit over people,” and Newcastle’s chief executive has responded.

“You, as supporters, are the lifeblood of the club,” the excerpt continued.

“I’ve often mentioned how vital your support is to our teams, and we can’t – and won’t – take it for granted.

That is why we are committed to keeping football affordable and ensuring that everyone can join us on this exciting adventure.

“To continue progressing toward our ambitious goals, we must make difficult decisions along the road,

and we have carefully reviewed our ticketing system for the upcoming season.

Our goal has been to continue providing a variety of ticketing options that provide excellent value and flexible payment options,

while remaining competitive on and off the pitch both now and in the future…

although our matchday and operational costs have risen significantly in recent years,

we have done our best to limit the impact on supporters by setting reasonable prices and driving revenue in other areas.

“All the while, we’ve made genuine progress in improving our facilities and matchday experience,

as well as investing heavily to attract and keep elite talent. Rather than emphasizing profit over people,

as you succinctly stated, we are attempting to strike a balance between people’s needs and performance.

We are aware of the requirements of the supporters we represent, as well as the hardships many people in our communities face,

and as a result, our ticket costs remain competitive in comparison to the vast majority of our Premier League competitors.”

The NUST has recently published a new statement,

stating that they were ‘as dissatisfied with this decision as we are with the lack of supporter participation on this matter’

after not being contacted about the price rise.

The trust has urged the Premier League and the upcoming independent regulator to

‘put regulations in place to avoid the exploitation of loyalty’.

“Whilst on the face of it, 5% may not be as steep as the rises facing some of our counterparts in the Premier League,

these increases all add up,” according to a portion of the article.

“In a section of the country with lower discretionary income than others,

the additional financial strain is felt acutely.

“The football industry creates staggering financial statistics.

The Premier League has massive financial streams, clubs have sponsors for nearly everything,

and a record TV agreement worth £6.7 billion will be in place for four seasons beginning in 2025-26.

“Despite this, we are seeing supporters from all clubs being asked to reach into their pockets for differences

that signify next to nothing on the balance sheets.

“We’ve seen it across the league in the form of higher fees, the elimination of concessions,

and the replacement of normal seating with corporate options.

The present Premier League profit and sustainability regulations (PSR) encourage teams to

take advantage of their own supporters’ loyalty to maximize revenue.”

As the cost of living issue worsens, fans throughout the country have grumbled against the increased cost of football in recent months.

Fulham fans made their point ahead of a game against Manchester United when the club charged £160 for tickets in the Riverside Stand,

while Craven Cottage’s adult season ticket prices have risen by 18% in the past year.

The Tottenham Supporters’ Trust was left ‘dismayed’ after a 6% increase,

and thousands of supporters turned their backs during a home game against

Luton in protest of the Londoners’ decision not to give new senior concession tickets for fans aged 65 and up beginning in 2025/26.

Season ticket prices at the Etihad Stadium have risen by an average of 5%,

while Manchester City fans hoisted a banner before the title match versus Arsenal that read:

“Record profits but record prices.” Stop exploiting our allegiance.

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