Tottenham Hotspur may have a state-of-the-art stadium, the newest ground in the Premier League, but the club have faced criticism from their supporters’ trust after the pricing was announced for their 2020/21 season tickets. There will be a 1.5 per cent rise for Spurs fans season tickets, though the club have vowed to freeze the price for the 2021/22 campaign in a statement which read “barring any unforeseen or exceptional circumstances”.
Despite Spurs’ hierarchy’s best efforts to soften the blow, which also included reminding potential season ticket holders that the rise was below the level of inflation, the decision has not sat well with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust. The THST argue that they are already paying some of the highest prices in Europe and prior to the redevelopment of their stadium it was revealed that only rivals Arsenal’s fans pay more throughout the continent. Therefore, they have labelled the increase as “unjustified” and challenged the club to provide a justification and encouraged them to give a full explanation.
THST have voiced their concern that the decision taken by the hierarchy at Spurs will negatively influence the atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which could be compromised with price rises as fans will not attend games. The Supporters’ Trust fears that the increased cost may lead to more season ticket holders “picking and choosing” the games they visit, which they believe will subsequently have an effect on the atmosphere within the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In spite of winning their case to take a larger portion of the overseas television money last season, Spurs board have chosen to increase the cost, which, in the minds of the Supporters’ Trust, could be offset by both television money and commercial deals which are a more significant source of income. “We pointed out, again, that the cost of a season ticket to most season ticket holders is 19 Premier League home games plus home cup games – at least – and a good run in domestic cup competitions and in Europe adds roughly 35-40 per cent to the price of a season ticket,” Said the THST in their statement.
The Supporters’ Trust has promised to take on board the response of members and the broader fanbase as they consider if any further courses of action can be taken regarding the club’s decision.
