Wolves 1877 Trust Ticketing & VAR Survey Results 2024
The Wolves 1877 Trust would like to thank all supporters who took part in our second Ticketing Survey of 2024. This survey focused on the point at which fans would stop attending games due to potential price rises and because of disaffection with VAR.
Over 800 supporters completed the survey which has been shared with senior club management at Wolves.
The Trust notes with concern that 67% of Wolves supporters believe that the impact of VAR on the match day experience would influence whether they will continue to attend games. The Trust has recently run online polls and it’s clear that Wolves fans want it scrapped. The Trust is pleased that at a recent FAB meeting, the senior management at Wolves shared our disaffection with VAR.
The current rate of inflation using the Retail Price Index is 4.3%. Over 75% of Wolves fans believe any rise below RPI would be unacceptable, with 25% saying any increase at all would be unacceptable. The Trust is concerned that 18.6% of fans would not renew their season ticket if the Trust raised tickets in line with RPI. 9% percent said they wouldn’t renew their season tickets if there was a single percentage rise.
There were further concerns voiced by fans if Match Day Tickets and Membership prices were to be increased. Over 70% of fans said that a rise above RPI was unacceptable, whilst over 25% said any increase would be unacceptable. Over 25% of members would not renew their membership if there were any increase at all.
Wolves 1877 Trust Chair, Daniel Warren, says “Wolves fans’ loyalty needs to be rewarded by the club, at a time where the Club is experiencing record revenues, it needs to take the pressure off its fan base. Wolves should announce a freeze as we have had rises every season since returning to the Premier League. Year-on-year price increases are becoming the norm and fans are being used as cash cows.
“This survey shows there is a risk of Wolves fans walking away from Molineux if rises are to continue for the 24/25 season. The club shouldn’t rely on a season ticket waiting list to fill seats at Molineux as the vast majority of people on the waiting list are members and a large number of them are considering not renewing their membership”.
“There’s also a lack of investment in the stadium with Molineux falling behind our competitors, a perceived lack of investment in the first team, and disaffection with VAR. Match-going fans are now second-class citizens due to VAR. There is poor communication between officials and fans and TV audiences have the benefit of commentary from pundits who see replays. Gary O’Neil has worked wonders this season, but the fan base has been vital to continued success”.
