Fans of Liverpool have won their battle with the club over increased ticket prices planned for next season. The English Premier League club has backtracked, scrapped the hike and apologized to fans.
Fans of Liverpool have won their battle with the club over increased ticket prices planned for next season. The English Premier League club has backtracked, scrapped the hike and apologized to fans.
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Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group -- led by John W. Henry -- had planned to spike prices in its redeveloped main stand for next season, with the most expensive seats costing £77 ($111.80). It was also planning to introduce the first ever £1000 ($1450.10) season ticket.
Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group -- led by John W. Henry -- had planned to spike prices in its redeveloped main stand for next season, with the most expensive seats costing £77 ($111.80). It was also planning to introduce the first ever £1000 ($1450.10) season ticket.
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FSG's proposals sparked fury among the club's supporters, many of them protesting in the recent home league match with Sunderland.
FSG's proposals sparked fury among the club's supporters, many of them protesting in the recent home league match with Sunderland.
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An estimated 10,000 fans walked out of the stadium on the 77 minute mark to register their disgust with the plans. Liverpool was leading 2-0 at the time but ended up drawing 2-2. Further walkouts had been planned for the next two home Premier League matches against Manchester City and Chelsea.
An estimated 10,000 fans walked out of the stadium on the 77 minute mark to register their disgust with the plans. Liverpool was leading 2-0 at the time but ended up drawing 2-2. Further walkouts had been planned for the next two home Premier League matches against Manchester City and Chelsea.
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But the club has now announced it was scrapping the plans and maintaining the same prices for the next two seasons. It said in a statement it had got part of the ticketing plan wrong, with Liverpool's American owners insisting they had never taken a single penny out of the club.
But the club has now announced it was scrapping the plans and maintaining the same prices for the next two seasons. It said in a statement it had got part of the ticketing plan wrong, with Liverpool's American owners insisting they had never taken a single penny out of the club.
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Ticket prices have been a hot topic since it was announced the 20 Premier League clubs will share an estimated £8 billion ( $11.5 bn) in revenue from next year thanks to bumper domestic and overseas television deals. Still ticket prices remain expensive compared to other European leagues. Arsenal's most expensive match ticket is £97 ($140). Its fans protested against this recently.
Ticket prices have been a hot topic since it was announced the 20 Premier League clubs will share an estimated £8 billion ( $11.5 bn) in revenue from next year thanks to bumper domestic and overseas television deals. Still ticket prices remain expensive compared to other European leagues. Arsenal's most expensive match ticket is £97 ($140). Its fans protested against this recently.
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Fans of German champions Bayern Munich protested at being charged £64 to watch its team play Arsenal in the European Champions League in October. They held up a banner that read: "£64 a ticket. But without fans football is not worth a penny."
Fans of German champions Bayern Munich protested at being charged £64 to watch its team play Arsenal in the European Champions League in October. They held up a banner that read: "£64 a ticket. But without fans football is not worth a penny."
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Borussia Dortmund players turned ball boys in the first half of their German Cup quarterfinal clash against Stuttgart Tuesday, after hundreds of fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch in protest at high ticket prices.
Borussia Dortmund players turned ball boys in the first half of their German Cup quarterfinal clash against Stuttgart Tuesday, after hundreds of fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch in protest at high ticket prices.
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German football is known for being among the most affordable in Europe. However, the Dortmund fans' frustration stemmed from a quarter of away tickets being priced at €70 ($78.80) and the cheapest seats costing €38.50 ($43.40).
German football is known for being among the most affordable in Europe. However, the Dortmund fans' frustration stemmed from a quarter of away tickets being priced at €70 ($78.80) and the cheapest seats costing €38.50 ($43.40).
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