Football fans across the capital are set for more expensive away days next season.Football fans across the capital are set for more expensive away days next season.
Football fans across the capital are set for more expensive away days next season. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland were promoted from the Championship this season in a strong showing for the North of the country.
Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham fans should prepare their wallets for a more expensive 2025/26 campaign following their team after Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland were promoted from the Championship.
The Whites return to the top flight having won the second tier with the Clarets narrowly behind in second place, the title only decided on the final day of the season. Meanwhile, the Black Cats booked a place in the Premier League via the play-offs, beating Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium.
Those three teams will take the place of Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City, who drop down into the Championship. All three of those clubs were promoted 12 months ago but have not be able to keep up with the standards of the Premier League.
Championship clubs entering Premier League up miles for London fans
While away day trips to iconic stadiums such as Elland Road and the Stadium of Light set up exciting fixtures for fans of London football clubs, the new arrivals in the division will mean a financial hit for supporters who do follow their side across the country.
This season, the total mileage clocked by a football fan from London making round trips to Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton was 534 miles - the Foxes the team the furthest away out of those promoted at 106 miles.
However, next season, that total mileage will rise to a huge 1,486 miles - a journey to the North East to face Sunderland the furthest from those promoted, although Newcastle United is already an even bigger trip. That mileage increase is nearly triple what it was to the relegated trio during the 2024/25 campaign.
In terms of train travel, tickets to visit Elland Road, Turf Moor and the Stadium of Light are also significantly more expensive than those to the King Power Stadium, St Mary’s or Portman Road. LondonWorld has compared the price of a return trip to those cities this Saturday (May 31), imagining a journey for a 3 pm kick-off, with prices correct as per Trainline on Monday, May 26.
Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland away days to come at a cost
The cheapest return ticket to Ipswich comes in at £40, to Leicester City is £45 and to Southampton in £37. For the new clubs, the cheapest return ticket to Leeds is £74, to Burnley is £94 and to Sunderland is £143.
That means a total price hike from £122 to £311, more than double the expenditure. While booking tickets in advance will lower costs, last minute Premier League fixture changes due to broadcasters mean that fans can rarely plan in advance.
Any early or late kick-offs at Sunderland, Leeds United or Burnley could also come with the need for overnight accommodation if trains are not running after full time. That was less likely to be the case at Leicester City, Ipswich Town or Southampton.
Those tricky kick-off times are likely to keep coming too. Sky Sports have already confirmed that a record minimum of 215 Premier League matches will be shown by the broadcasters while the 3 pm blackout remains in place, meaning all of those matches will be moved from the traditional slot.
In other news, Pre-season predicted table was right about Arsenal and Chelsea - but very wrong about Spurs and West Ham.
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