For many supporters, attending a game is more than just watching 90 minutes of football. It's an entire match-day experience - the walk to the ground, the pre-match nerves and the away trip with your mates. But let’s face it, as living costs continue to rise, more and more fans are left asking themselves, “Are we being priced out of football”?

Let’s dig into the numbers and what they really mean for supporters.

The ticket price reality

In the Premier League, the average price of a home match ticket for 2024/25 was reported to be around £59. For some clubs, prices can start as little as £25 but tend to rise quickly. However, for a club like Manchester City, adult general-admission matchday tickets can reach a sizeable £67, which admittedly is notably lower than some might expect.

In the second tier, the Championship, the entry cost is lower, but still not exactly pocket change. Opening-week ticket prices ranged from £22 to £44 for adult seats at clubs across the division. So while the baseline is lower than the Premier League, the gap isn’t as wide as you might hope, especially once travel, parking, food and away-games are taken into account.

All those hidden extras

Buying the ticket is just step one; the real burden comes with all the extras. Which, when you add it all up, can make even moderate ticket prices feel expensive:

• Away travel - train fares, coach trips, car fuel and sometimes overnight stays
• Home game costs - parking, snacks/drinks, concessions and for many, likely a pre-match pint
• Time and commitment - weeknight matches or long trips can mean taking time off work or travelling across the country
• Seasonal repeats - fans who attend home and away matches regularly accumulate costs for each fixture

So, are fans being priced out?

Yes, in many cases. The figures suggest fewer matches are affordable to the everyday supporter. Some clubs are opting to freeze or lower ticket prices, but unfortunately, these cases seem to be the exception rather than the rule.

For loyal fans, especially those attending multiple home and away games, the cumulative cost becomes significant. If costs keep creeping up without offsetting measures, there’s a real risk the traditional supporter will get squeezed out.

Football’s magic has always been its inclusivity; the idea that fans of all backgrounds can gather, chant and cheer together. But when the cost of being there every week becomes too high, some parts of that joy start to slip away. Clubs, leagues and policymakers need to remember it’s not just about the spectacle on the pitch, it’s about the supporters who make every matchday matter.