Chelsea’s corporate hospitality sales have been hit by its "poor start to the season," according to Matt Hughes of the LONDON TIMES. The club has "continued to record sell-outs at Stamford Bridge in most sections of the stadium despite slumping to 14th" in the Premier League, but there has been "spare capacity" in many of its corporate areas in the past couple of months, a "downturn that looks like continuing into the new year." Chelsea has "good availability for corporate packages" for its next five matches, including the Boxing Day fixture against Watford and ManU’s visit on Feb. 6. Individual corporate tickets, including food and drink, start at £195 ($297) plus VAT, rising to £495 ($753.6) plus VAT for "an experience that also includes a tour of the ground led by a former Chelsea player." Chelsea said that "a slump in demand at this time of year is not unusual because of the competitive nature of the corporate market over the festive period," although the club will "grow more concerned if it continues after Christmas." The club’s corporate offering is a "significant part" of its match-day operation and will be increased should it receive permission to rebuild Stamford Bridge to a capacity of 60,000, for which it submitted a planning application last month (LONDON TIMES, 12/12).
