A new financial landscape report from UEFA has sparked outrage among supporters’ groups, revealing a sharp and “unstoppable” rise in ticket prices across Europe’s top tiers. According to the data, fans of the Premier League’s “Big Six” are now paying an average of £74 per match, with revenues for these clubs jumping by 19% in the last year alone.
Arsenal and Liverpool Lead Revenue Gains
The report highlights Arsenal as the league’s top earner per supporter, with an average ticket price reaching £89. However, Liverpool saw the most significant growth in ticket income, posting a 27% year-on-year increase to reach £120 million, largely attributed to the expanded capacity at Anfield.
The Death of the “Traditional Fan”?
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) has slammed the findings, stating that the figures are “definitely not fair.” Thomas Concannon, the FSA’s Premier League network manager, warned that the shift toward hospitality-heavy models and the removal of concessions is pricing out long-standing match-going fans.
“There is a big problem with ticket prices… We believe there should be a league-wide ruling on home ticket prices to protect fans,” Concannon stated, noting that the focus on a “lucrative audience” is severely damaging stadium atmospheres.
A Global Trend Toward 2026
The report also draws parallels to the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, where early pricing projections suggest a heavy reliance on dynamic pricing and premium experiences. As clubs cite rising player salaries and operational costs as excuses for hikes, the FSA’s ‘Stop Exploiting Loyalty’ campaign continues to fight against the marginalization of the die-hard supporter in favor of what Roy Keane famously called the “prawn sandwich brigade.”