Monday 28th February 2022
The AST believes that the 4% ticket price increase is unjustified at a time Arsenal’s overall revenues are increasing and fans are experiencing other pressures on their disposable income.
When presented with news of the increase at the recent Arsenal Advisory Board (AAB) and Fans Forum, the AST representatives present argued against the case for any increase.
Arsenal’s position is that in light of costs increasing much faster than revenues (and now consistently being in loss making territory) they need to develop all of their revenue streams to move the club back to financial sustainability. They also pointed out this is the first across the board ticket price increase in seven seasons. This price increase is forecast to generate an extra GBP 3.8m in the 22/23 season.
We pointed out to the club that in recent years they have secured big increases to other commercial and broadcast revenue streams and that the Premier League have just announced further big increases to future broadcast revenues and UEFA forecasting further increases too.
Arsenal can also expect a significant increase in their ticketing revenues as a result of likely qualification for European competitions next season. On average Arsenal “gross” GBP3m per home game.
A big welcome for the concessions offered to younger fans
We do welcome within these proposals that new concessions are being introduced for supporters in the 19 to 21 year old category. This includes giving these ticket holders the options to buy discounted tickets anywhere in the stadium.
The AST has actively campaigned for this change for many years pointing out how most of our supporters in this age group are still in full time education or employment that does not pay well, and that there is a danger of Arsenal losing their younger fans as they come out of the Junior Gunners and Cannon Club.
This brings Arsenal into line with the vast majority of other Premier League clubs who already offer this concession.
The process behind increasing ticket prices should have been more consultative
Arsenal first said they were planning on increasing ticket prices during meetings of the Arsenal Advisory Board and Fans’ Forum during February.
The information was put forward as a decision that was being made. Attendees were specifically requested not to share the information more widely and no formal consultation took place.
The AST challenged this approach. Following the debacle of the Super League there is supposed to be a greater effort being made by Arsenal, and all football clubs, to improve supporter engagement and dialogue. An increase in ticket pricing is exactly the sort of issue these forums should consider and have input to.
Further ticketing improvements secured
After raising this, we were able to have further discussions with the Club, and we put forward some alternative ticketing options, but it was clear that they were determined to press ahead with the headline price increase.
However we did have constructive discussions on other ticketing issues on which we were able to secure progress on around wider ticketing benefits for Arsenal fans:
Over the last year Arsenal have begun making many improvements to the ticketing experience and this has included giving time to meet with the AST and subsequently take on board the views of our members.
This has seen positive developments such as the introduction of home credits and plans to take more action against season tickets regularly not used. We will continue to engage with the ticketing team as more changes are proposed and welcome feedback from members on their experiences and with their ideas.
