The cost of being a football fan
Equifax compares season ticket costs, highlighting the financial burden on fans in leagues One and Two
Ask any sports fan and they would love to have a season ticket to see their favourite team. But that doesn’t come cheap as the latest research from credit information provider, Equifax, reveals.
Comparing the price of adult season tickets for 2018/19 at League One and Two football clubs, the Equifax research reveals that starting prices for League One teams range from £199 (Bradford City) to £345 (Coventry City). And for League Two fans, they could be forking out anywhere between £269 (Morecombe FC) and to as much as £380 (Swindon Town).
Whilst these prices aren’t in the same league as some Premier League teams, Equifax urges fans to consider the cost and plan ahead to avoid breaking their budget.
Every year football fans are faced with the struggle to afford tickets to see their favourite club. According to an annual study1, 55% of fans polled said they had stopped going to games completely or went to fewer because it was too expensive.
Today’s clubs offer a range of ticket prices, with some letting kids under 12 in for free and others offering family tickets, as well as raising the price for VIP experiences. But while season tickets do offer a saving per match, many can run into hundreds of pounds for one person, making it a serious investment for many fans.
Lisa Hardstaff, credit information expert at Equifax comments, “Supporting a football team requires commitment – not just in enduring the team’s performance through the bad and good times, but in the cost. A season ticket is just one expense that fans have to cover. There’s also travel, the cost of drinks and food, as well as extras such as shirts or TV subscriptions.
“It’s great to be able to support your team, but not if it leaves a big hole in the bank balance. With a bit careful planning and saving, football fans can enjoy the season ahead without worrying about the cost.”
| Club | Adult |
|---|---|
| AFC Wimbledon | £385 |
| Accrington Stanley | £264.50 |
| Barnsley | £475 |
| Blackpool | £320 |
| Bradford City | £199 |
| Bristol Rovers | £295 |
| Burton Albion | £357 |
| Charlton Athletic | £200 |
| Coventry City | £345 |
| Oxford United | £330 |
| Doncaster Rovers | £304 |
| Fleetwood Town | £220 |
| Gillingham | £395 |
| Luton Town | £370 |
| Peterborough United | £299 |
| Plymouth Argyle | £375 |
| Portsmouth | £419 |
| Rochdale | £250 |
| Scunthorpe United | £415 |
| Shrewsbury Town | £460 |
| Southend United | £395 |
| Sunderland | £370 |
| Walsall | £356 |
| Wycombe Wanderers | £320 |
| NB: 2018/19 season ticket starting prices. All prices taken from the football club’s official websites | |
| Club | Adult |
|---|---|
| Bury FC | £350 |
| Yeovil Town | £335 |
| Cheltenham Town | £315 |
| Crawley Town | £330 |
| Crew Alexandra | £335 |
| Morecambe FC | £269 |
| Exeter City | £345 |
| Carlisle United | £381 |
| Grimsby Town | £305 |
| Forest Green Rovers | £289 |
| Mansfield Town | £350 |
| Newport County | £350 |
| Northampton Town | £430 |
| Lincoln City | £380 |
| Nottingham County | £370 |
| Colchester United | £361 |
| Oldham Athletic | £360 |
| MK Dons | £360 |
| Port Vale | £380 |
| Cambridge United | £289 |
| Stevenage | £279 |
| Tranmere Rovers | £399 |
| Swindon Town | £380 |
| Macclesfield Town | £300 |
| NB: 2018/19 season ticket starting prices. All prices taken from the football club’s official websites | |
1https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41901398
ENDS
For further press information, please contact: Clare Watson, Cecile Stearn, Parm Heer or Wendy Harrison at HSL on 020 8977 9132 / Fax: 020 8977 5200 or Email: equifaxbtocteam@harrisonsadler.com
About Equifax
Equifax Inc. (Equifax) is a global information solutions company that uses unique data, innovative analytics, technology and industry expertise to power organizations and individuals around the world by transforming knowledge into insights that help make more informed business and personal decisions.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. It is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500® Index, and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX. Equifax employs 10,400 employees worldwide.
Equifax Limited is one of the Equifax group companies based in the UK.
Equifax Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.