The BBC’s Price of Football annual survey was released late last night, and their investigation shows that the price of League One football has only slightly reduced compared to 2016/17.
Compared to the last survey the (2015/16), the BBC found that ticket prices alone in League One had seen the fewest reductions for this season. Their research indicated that only 19% of prices had actually fallen.
The average cost of the cheapest matchday ticket in the division comes to £20.10, whilst the most expensive on average isn’t that far ahead in reality, topping out at £25.83 – but that is an increase of 5% on last year.
Season tickets on average though, in terms of the cheapest on offer, fell to a three year low at £283.07, but compensating for that, the most expensive season tickets rose to a six year high at £415.70.
Worryingly for fans – but maybe understandable for clubs at that level – 20 clubs charge more for their cheapest season ticket that Premier League side Hull City charge – £252.
With away ticket prices being an issue this season with the ‘£20’s Plenty’ campaign and the Premier League limiting them to £30 for the next three years, away prices in League One average £20.02 at cheapest, and £23.37 most expensive.
As for specifics, Bradford City win out for the second consecutive year with a cheapest in England £149 season ticket, and Gillingham take the cheapest matchday ticket with a price of £12 – the lowest in the Football League.
Relegated Charlton Athletic have the most expensive matchday ticket at £35 and the most expensive season ticket at £550, but the club say the popular choice is the £175 season ticket, and that has the highest uptake.
Coventry City, Oxford United and Walsall all upped prices in all categories this year, but Bolton Wanderers, Bradford, Millwall, MK Dons, Port Vale, Scunthorpe United, Sheffield United and Shrewsbury Town did not increase a single price this season.
As for concessions, the cheapest pie in the division can be found at Rochdale (£2), and Bury and Scunthorpe are the cheapest for a cuppa at £1.20.
The most expensive pie is at Coventry for £4 and they also charge the most for tea, £2.50.
Fleetwood Town continue to have the lowest programme at £1, as prices across the division were frozen, and as for shirts, Walsall’s junior price is cheapest at £24.99 although Chesterfield, Scunthorpe and Shrewsbury all reduced their prices this year. Millwall remain most expensive at £37.
As for adults, nine clubs charge a top price of £45, and Scunthorpe come in as cheapest at £39.95.
As for a more community minded feel, the BBC not.
Shrewsbury offer free season tickets to children and members of the Armed Forces.
Gillingham’s Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 U18s) costs only £25.
And finally, Southend United offer free tickets to children at local schools and community groups.
As the data is sifted through, the above link will lead you to club specific information, but as ever, Vital Football will give a club by club breakdown in the coming days.
