Arsenal ticket price rise 'extremely disappointing' - fans group
The Arsenal Supporters Trust (AST) says it is "extremely disappointed" after the club increased season ticket prices for the 2025-26 campaign.
The Gunners have put up prices by between 3% and 5%, which they say is in response to rising costs, including a 40% increase in player wages over the past 12 months.
The AST had been calling for prices to be frozen in line with the Stop Exploiting Loyalty campaign organised by the Football Supporters' Association (FSA), which has expressed its frustration at rising costs for match-going fans.
"We understand that costs are increasing across football, especially for player wages and agent fees, but feel that Arsenal and all Premier League clubs should be making greater efforts to control these pressures rather than relying on supporters to take the strain," read an AST statement.
Arsenal say they set the prices after "extensive supporter engagement" and have protected concession tickets following a request from the FSA.
In a statement on the club website, Arsenal said: "Our priority is to continue competing at the highest level in all competitions and win major trophies. This requires investment in our teams in an environment where costs continue to rise."
They are also introducing a 19-game season ticket that excludes some European games, and are making 1,000 tickets free of charge across the season for the local community.
The club added they posted a loss of £17.1m in their 2023-24 accounts, despite record revenues of £616.6m, and have had a culminative loss of £238m over the last four seasons.
Manchester United were criticised by fans earlier this season after deciding to raise matchday ticket prices to £66 per game, with no concessions for children or pensioners.
That sparked a protest outside Old Trafford before United's game against Everton on 1 December, while there have been further protests against ticket price rises at Tottenham and Manchester City in recent weeks.
The FSA wrote to the Premier League last month urging the organisation to support a division-wide ticket price freeze next season, saying the issue is at a "critical juncture".
As well as a price freeze, the FSA said it wants protection of all concessions and for improved dialogue between clubs and supporters over ticketing issues.
Brentford, Wolves, Liverpool and West Ham are among Premier League clubs to freeze their season ticket prices for next season.
