Member Article

TV deal sees West Ham ticket prices slashed

West Ham is the first club to reduce season ticket prices following the Premier League’s record television deal with Sky and BT Sport.

The networks have paid out £5.13bn for live Premier League television rights for three seasons from 2016-17.

Following the price cut, West Ham’s cheapest adult season ticket will cost just £289, down from between £620 and £940 for the 2014-15 campaign.

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said: “We have always said that the move to our magnificent new stadium would be a game changer for West Ham.

“It was a chance to increase revenue, invest in the team and improve our performance on the pitch, but without putting an extra financial burden on the supporters who already come to watch every home match.

“This announcement proves we have kept our promise.”

Nevertheless, the club’s season ticket prices are actually on the rise for the 2015-16 season by a maximum of 5%, and they will fall for the following campaign one the new TV deal kicks in.

The Olympic Stadium, which will debut in the club’s 2016/17 season, will have 19,000 more seats than the 35,016 at West Ham’s current home, Upton Park.

Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters’ Federation, has called for more clubs to drop ticket prices, he commented: “Any reduction is welcome, so two cheers for West Ham for that,” he told BBC Sport.

“But before we give them three cheers, we await to see what they do about price categories, what they do about away fans and what they do with ordinary admission.

“We’re hopeful this is the first of many moves by the clubs to significantly reduce ticket prices. We will definitely keep up the pressure to ensure it happens.

“Now the other clubs have a year to respond, so let’s see who can offer the lowest season ticket in a year’s time.”

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: “West Ham’s announcement is further evidence that Premier League clubs do offer stretch pricing and think about providing opportunities for families and young people when considering ticket offers for their fans.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .