Liverpool ticket prices rise (Image: Getty)
Liverpool supporters group Spirit of Shankly (SoS) has called on fans to take a stand against the club’s decision to increase ticket prices for the next three years. The Reds confirmed the price increase two weeks ago, but it sparked widespread condemnation among fans, especially given Liverpool posted record revenues earlier this year.
The club plans to increase prices by up to 5% in line with annual CPI inflation. This includes the price of an adult general admission ticket increasing from £1.25 to £1.75 per person per match day, as well as the price of an adult season ticket increasing from £21.50 to £27 for next season. This equates to an increase of up to £1.42 per match.
The club offered a number of concessions, including freezing ticket prices for seniors, locals and juniors. It’s also worth noting that while each ticket price category remains cheaper than local rivals Everton, Liverpool’s cost increases are considerably lower than the Premier League’s elite teams of the past decade.
However, as confirmed through a statement on Easter Monday, SoS is calling for further changes. “Supporters are angry. They have a right to be angry,” declared the Official Supporters Trust. “Liverpool FC has chosen to ignore the clear overwhelming opposition from its supporters and go ahead with its plans to increase ticket prices for the next three seasons.
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“Public meetings online, surveys and countless conversations all show the same thing: the fans do not accept this decision and if the club’s owners will not listen, we will decide. This is no longer a consultation. The opportunity has passed. This is a matter of action.”
Ticket prices will rise despite Liverpool’s slump under Arne Slott (Image: Getty)
The SoS confirmed that clubs have been notified that a demonstration will take place. Details will be announced in due course, but some form of protest is planned for this weekend’s home match against Fulham. The group also announced a ‘Not a Pound in the Ground’ campaign, calling on supporters to spend as little inside Anfield as possible.
“Spend your money at local independent businesses around Anfield instead,” the SoS wrote. “This is a small gesture, but if enough people do it it will send a clear message. Supporters have also proposed deferring season ticket renewals until closer to the deadline, which we support.”
The club defended the increase, pointing to a long-standing commitment to freeze ticket prices under FSG’s ownership, as well as citing rising matchday operating, utility and business rates.
But SoS hit back in a statement, reaffirming its position that these decisions rest firmly with ownership, while insisting that the protests were not just in the interests of Liverpool fans, but also concerned all other clubs in the Premier League. “At the end of the last three years we will see prices rise for the fifth time in six seasons, with tickets heading towards £70 and season tickets over £1,000.
“It’s not just a question of price, it’s a question of direction. It’s a question of what kind of football club Liverpool choose to be.
“One that is rooted in the people, or one that sees the people as a source of income that can be boosted year after year. Future supporters will live with the impact of what is happening.”
