Anfield, Liverpool FC's stadium Photo: Ruaraidh Gillies/CC
Anfield, Liverpool FC's stadium Photo: Ruaraidh Gillies/CC
Liverpool Football Club has announced proposals to increase ticket prices for the next three years, a second price rise since 2024. The proposals include an increase in prices in line with inflation that would eventually take tickets to £70, amidst the backdrop of an increase in season ticket prices by 7% since 2021. After achieving record revenues in the past few seasons, Fenway Sports Group, the club’s Boston-based consortium owner, is now threatening loyal fans with a season ticket of almost £1,000 and rising. Working-class matchgoers are being priced out.
This is not the first time eye-watering increases have been mentioned since John Henry bought the club in 2010. A 2016 fan walkout, the first in the club’s history, took place against a price rise.
After years of price freezes as a compromise, the owners are attempting to exploit fan loyalty all while claiming that matchday costs are increasing, in order to generate an extra £1.2 million in revenue.
Supporters’ groups have voiced their concerns, highlighting the issues that fans face with the rising cost of living, and the further disconnect between owners and supporters. Football typically prides itself on its working-class origins, but developments in recent years price out those same fans who build the community and generate the atmosphere.
With growing frustration among working-class supporters against corporate greed worldwide, not just at Liverpool, it is clear that more has to be done to develop meaningful dialogue between supporters and the board.
In 2019, German giants Bayern Munich unveiled a, ‘Twenty is Plenty’ banner at Anfield, calling for a cap on ticket prices. There is also the ongoing ‘Stop Exploiting Loyalty’ campaign. This decision at Liverpool only continues a trend of out-of-touch owners taking fans for granted.
Oliver Scott, Liverpool North Socialist Party