Wednesday 5th March 2025
Arsenal ticketing arrangements for 2025/26 can be read here.
In recent weeks the AST has been involved in discussions with Arsenal about ticketing arrangements for next season (2025-26) as part of the Arsenal Advisory Board (AAB).
Our initial submission to this process is set out here.
A total of three AAB meetings were held to discuss proposals, with supporting information and ticketing data tabled. All of these meetings were attended by Arsenal Managing Director Rich Garlick and his relevant colleagues. Executive Vice-Chair Tim Lewis also attended and one meeting saw owner/co-Chair Josh Kroenke contribute.
While we didn’t secure everything we sought, we do feel that there was genuine engagement, with the club being open throughout and adapting positions in light of feedback.
The option to buy a 19-game season ticket for Premier League matches only
We are pleased that following our long-standing request - supported by 80% of our members in our recent ticketing survey - the option to buy a 19-game Premier League season ticket (ST) will be introduced.
This has the advantages of reducing the up-front cost of a season ticket by about 20% (as it will be for 19 not 23 games) while increasing the number of tickets available for Silver and Red members.
One of the issues that was considered was the other benefits a 19-game ST holder would have.
The position the club settled on was that a 19 game ST holder will have the right to buy their ST seat for domestic cup games and to enter the silver ballot for European games.
This change represents a considerable commercial adjustment to arrangements that have been in place at Arsenal for decades and we recognise the goodwill the club have shown in following up on their commitment last year to carefully review the case for this change.
However, we believe there is a case that season ticket holders who opt for the 19-game ticket should still have an automatic right to purchase their seat for all other competitive home matches. This is in line with arrangements at other Premier League clubs, and recognises the dedication of season ticket holders and their still large up-front financial commitment.
We have received a commitment from Arsenal to review this arrangement over the course of the 2025-26 season in light of the actual demand for this option. We will also seek further feedback from our members.
Good news as all existing concessions continue, with 1,000 more places per game for young fans
In recent years we have seen clubs across the Premier League removing concessionary tickets for junior, young adult and senior fans. Addressing this has been a core concern of the FSA ‘Stop Exploiting Loyalty’ campaign.
We are very pleased that Arsenal will retain all concessionary categories for next season and actually increase the number of reduced price tickets for young fans (up to age 25) by 1,000 to 4,000 in total per game.
There will also be 1,000 tickets made available across the season at no charge for the benefit of the local community.
Disappointment that Arsenal haven’t frozen prices in line with the principles of the national FSA campaign ‘Stop Exploiting Loyalty’
The AST was very clear to the club – as were other AAB members – that we were calling for the price of season tickets and matchday tickets to be frozen in line with the national FSA campaign Stop Exploiting Loyalty.
In recent years Arsenal has seen its revenues increase greatly from both broadcast and commercial activity, while ticketing revenue has also increased as fixture lists have expanded and categorisation has increased. Just this week the club reported a surge in total revenue from £467m to £616m for the 23/24 season.
It is therefore frustrating that the average price rise is above inflation at 3.7%, with ticket holders in the lower tier facing increases of 5% and in the upper tier 3%. Similar increases will apply to Club Level.
Premier League clubs including Brentford, Wolves, Liverpool and West Ham have confirmed price freezes for next season. We are extremely disappointed that Arsenal have not replicated this approach.
We understand that costs are increasing across football – especially for player wages and agent fees – but feel that Arsenal and all Premier League clubs should be making greater efforts to control these pressures rather than relying on supporters to take the strain.
The AST intends to place a greater focus on highlighting the need for sensible cost control measures in football over the next season.
On-going concern about high categorisation for Champions League games
The AST has repeatedly raised with Arsenal supporter concerns at the high categorisations applied to Champions League matches. Categorising Champions League group stage matches as ‘ABBB’ for fixtures in a competition where qualification from the group stage is all but guaranteed (24 out of 36 teams qualifying) was just too high.
There is also understandable upset from our members at a Category A being applied for the PSV last-16 game.
If Arsenal continue to progress in the Champions League this season we face a scenario whereby a fan attending all seven games could pay for tickets categorised as ABBBAAA. This is a huge outlay, equivalent to almost 50% of a Premier League season ticket, and needs to be considered by the club alongside its constant positioning of how much it values the amazing support the home crowd has offered to the team in recent years. We should not be taken for granted.
Arsenal say they note this concern over Champions League pricing and we will continue to press them for action. It is a priority issue for us over the next year and one we believe needs to be addressed.
ENDS
Our previous surveys and statements on ticketing are included below.
Results of AST survey in May 2024:
The option of a 19-game season ticket
The AST has been advocating the option of a 19-game Premier League only season ticket for supporters who want it (with season ticket holders still able to opt in to all cup games if they prefer). This would replicate how all other Premier League clubs operate and give supporters the choice of a cheaper season ticket. It would also open up more tickets for silver and red members to purchase.
- Do you support the AST proposal for there to be an option of a Premier League only season ticket?
Yes: 80% No:10% Don’t Know: 10%
- Please only answer this question if you are a season ticket holder or on the season ticket waiting list. Would you be interested in taking up the option of a 19 game Premier League only season ticket if the option was available?
Yes: 38% No: 47% Don’t know: 15%
