Season Ticket Price Increase Statement
Whilst the Wolves 1877 Trust welcomes some of the initiatives announced yesterday we would also like to express our disappointment at the announcement of further season ticket price increases for next season.
We feel that the increase, at a time of increased living costs and uncertain economic conditions, is unfortunate and is not in line with the club's one pack mentality and is not in keeping with statements made by the club in May last year:
‘’Our supporters are the heartbeat of the football club; their presence and loyal support is appreciated by everyone at the club and is never taken for granted.
Whilst our fanbase continues to grow it is important for us to ensure that every action taken has the core aim of improving team performance and increasing engagement with all sections of the fanbase, ensuring supporters can remain connected with the club’’ – an extract from Wolverhampton Wanderers accounts year ending 31st May 2021.
In February 2022 the Trust released a statement calling for a ticket price freeze, highlighting the cost of living crisis. Trust Chair, Dan Warren, raised our concerns at the subsequent Fan Engagement Ticketing Group meetings and made clear the case for a ticket price freeze.
Ticket prices have increased at Molineux every season since 2018, so the Trust has every right to be disappointed that, at a time of an escalating cost of living crisis, the club have chosen to further increase ticket prices.
The club have benchmarked ticket prices at Molineux and are now going through a re-alignment of their pricing policy, in line with ‘top half’ clubs in the Premier League. Supporters recognise that to compete we need to generate larger revenues, but is it necessary to impose such large increases on over 65’s at the current time?
Brentford, Brighton Burnley, Liverpool, Southampton, Tottenham, Watford and Manchester United have all frozen their season ticket prices again for next season. For Liverpool it’s the 7th season in a row that prices have been frozen, Manchester United the 10th consecutive season.
Other clubs such as Arsenal, Everton and Leeds are making their first increase in many years.
The Trust welcomes some of the new initiatives and the fact that these changes have been announced following consultation through the Fan Engagement groups. The removal of direct debit and administration fees has been long overdue and the introduction of a ballot for a small percentage of away tickets and the cash refund increase to 80% of the ticket value (if you cannot attend a game) are both welcome.
The Trust don’t accept that ticket price increases are necessary and inevitable and were concerned about a consistent creep in ticket prices rising. We look forward to the club making the investment required to firmly cement the club as a top 10 Premier League club with aspirations for regular European football at Molineux.