The outside of the Ipswich Town stadium, with a line of fans queuing up outsidePA Media
Rachael McMenemyandLouise Parry
A football club that is on the brink of promotion to the Premier League has divided fans' opinions after significantly raising its ticket prices.
Adult season tickets at Ipswich Town Football Club will cost about 12% more next season, whether the club remains in the Championship or gets promoted.
The club has frozen season ticket prices for under-12s for the third year, and said adult tickets would be cheap compared to other Premier League clubs.
Fans on social media called the decision "outrageous" and "shameful", while others said it was "understandable" and they were "more than happy" to pay.
Two football players mid-tackle on a football pitch. One is wearing blue and white kit and the other is wearing white kit.PA Media
The club was last promoted to the top flight in 2023, for the first time in 22 years, but were relegated last season.
In comments under the season ticket renewal announcement on X, one fan accused the club of "exploiting loyalty" and another said Ipswich was "fleecing the fans".
However Sandra Cummingham, a fan of 44 years, said: "I still think compared to some, it's pretty reasonable."
She said: "If we are promoted, you would have four fewer games [in the Premier League], but you're paying for a superior product. You could be watching Arsenal, not Lincoln or Stockport.
"I'm desperate for my club to do well. Clubs have to comply with rules about profit and financial sustainability."
She added: "Nobody ever likes a price increase - we have a cost-of-living crisis, so I hope it doesn't stop people renewing.
"It would be horrible if anyone is priced out."
A selfie of Craig and his son Oscar outside the ground. here are crowds of people behind them, mostly men. Craig wears the blue and grey Ipswich Town scarf and a grey-blue baseball cap with a flower on the front. Oscar wears a grey hoodie.Craig Finbow
"It leaves a little bit of a sour taste," said Craig Finbow, who has been supporting the club since 1982.
He presents the Blue Monday podcast for fans of the club, and said other fans he had spoken to "felt the increase was higher than it needed to be".
Finbow said his ticket would cost £581 next season compared to £510 this year – and that comes after a rise last year.
"It's been a 25% increase over the last two years combined, it is a bit of a jump," he said.
"I don't know how that sits with other similar sized clubs, whether it puts us in line with them."
"You could argue that the club needs more money if it stays in the Championship, to attract players – but if we get promoted, the ticket sales pale into comparison with all the money you get from the Premier League.
"It feels a bit like profiteering," he added.
The club added that in many areas of the Portman Road stadium, its 26/27 prices would be similar or lower than the league average.
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