EPL club Manchester City has "increased season-ticket prices by an average 9% for next season," according to Stuart James of the GUARDIAN. The hike, which follows a 6% rise prior to the '11-12 season, "means that some City supporters will have to pay" $94 (all figures U.S.) more to renew their seat at Etihad Stadium. Only "three other established EPL clubs have raised their prices across the stadium," with Fulham the next highest at 5%. Tottenham Hotspur fans will pay an average of 3.6% more next season, while Everton supporters face an increase of 3%. Man City said that the increases "have been staggered in a way that those in the cheaper seats will not face the same rises as those at the top end." Adults will pay 5-10% more for a season ticket in '12-13, fans over 65 years-old will have to pay an average of 2% more, fans under 21 face a 4-10% rise, and fans under 16 will pay about $1.57 more per game. While Man City's prices "remain competitive in relation to their rivals, the fact that season tickets have gone up by 15% in the last two years suggests that there are some limits to [Owner] Sheikh Mansour's generosity after all." Mansour has invested more than $1.57B since taking control of the club and, "in all likelihood, few supporters will be complaining at the prospect of paying more to watch a team who won the title for the first time in 44 years" (GUARDIAN, 5/23).
COST CUTTING: The GUARDIAN's James writes EPL club West Bromwich's decision to make "sweeping cuts," reducing all adult season tickets by $79 and child tickets by up to $110, "raises eyebrows." West Brom was at 96% capacity last season, "meaning that the club were under little pressure to drop prices." West Brom CEO Mark Jenkins said that the club "wanted to do more to help people in an area that has been particularly hard hit economically." Nine EPL clubs -- Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Stoke City, Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers -- have "frozen the cost of season tickets" for next season. Recently promoted West Ham has "put prices back to the level they were" in '10-11, when the club last played in the EPL. Recently promoted EPL club Reading has "introduced significant hikes for new applicants" (GUARDIAN, 5/23).
CRUNCH THE NUMBERS: The GUARDIAN's James compiled a list of EPL season-ticket prices for the '12-13 season, with analysis on the changes for each club (GUARDIAN, 5/23).
