Chelsea freeze 2023-24 season ticket prices as Todd Boehly and Co aim to appease
Chelsea have frozen their general admission season ticket prices for the 12th straight year in a move to appease fans on the back of a disastrous season.
Despite forking out an unprecedented £600million on new signings this term, the Blues are languishing in 11th place after losing 14 of their 34 Premier League matches so far.
They have employed four different head coaches after sacking Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter – with Bruno Saltor and current caretaker Frank Lampard both enjoying interim spells in charge – while struggling for form in the league and crashing out of every cup competition.
It has been a baptism of fire for new co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, who have drawn the ire of supporters for a number of questionable decisions in their first full season at the helm, including the dismissal of Tuchel back in September.
As a result, the much-maligned duo have chosen to freeze season ticket prices ahead of the 2023-24 campaign in an attempt to begin winning over fans, Chelsea confirmed on Thursday.
Chelsea have frozen their general admission season ticket prices for the 12th straight year
Co-owners Behdad Eghbali (left) and Todd Boehly (right) have made the move in a bid to appease disgruntled fans on the back of a disastrous campaign
The Blues are in the bottom half of the Premier League table amid a crisis on and off the pitch
In a statement announcing their season ticket plans for next season, the club said: ‘This season has not produced the results that any of us want. We know what we are working towards, but equally we know that will require hard work, determination and commitment. We all want to see Chelsea back where we belong and to share many more winning moments together at Stamford Bridge.
‘Adult general admission (GA) season tickets have been frozen since 2011/12, meaning since 2005, season ticket prices have fallen in real terms by 32%. Like many industries, our costs have also risen significantly. Operating Stamford Bridge and delivering matchdays have been particularly subjected to inflationary pressures – up 31% since 2018.
‘Equally, we are acutely aware of the rise in cost of living and the impact that has on our supporters.
‘Looking at all of these factors, the Board has decided to freeze GA season tickets for the 2023/24 season.’
The move comes as a consolation for Chelsea supporters after what has been one of the worst seasons in their modern history, with relegation from the Premier League only mathematically secured last weekend after a six-game losing streak finally came to an end at Bournemouth.
Amid turmoil on and off the pitch, Chelsea’s Supporters’ Trust penned an open letter to the club in March warning them of ‘irreversible toxicity’ if they decided to ramp up season-ticket prices.
Citing the current cost of living crisis in the UK, the upsurge in Chelsea’s commercial revenue, their diabolical season and the impact heightened ticket fees could have on Stamford Bridge’s matchday atmosphere, the group pleaded with Boehly and Eghbali to stick by their prices next season.
Chelsea’s Supporters’ Trust warned the club of ‘irreversible toxicity’ if they increased prices
The Blues have had four different head coaches this season after sacking Thomas Tuchel (left) and Graham Potter (right)
Season tickets ranged from £595 to £940 during the 2022-23 season, while individual matchday tickets were offered up at between £53 and £76 for adults on general sale.
And the Supporters’ Trust’s concerns have now been heard after Chelsea confirmed the freezing of their season ticket prices for the 12th successive year.
The move sees fans in general-admission areas at Stamford Bridge continue to pay less for their season tickets than fans of London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, who fork out the highest prices in English football.
Chelsea’s cheapest adult general admission season ticket will be set at £750, with Tottenham’s costing £807 after the north London club also froze their prices for next season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have announced an average rise of five per cent to season tickets which were already priced at upwards of £900.
Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be confirmed as Potter’s replacement in the coming weeks
After replacing Roman Abramovich at Chelsea last year, one of Boehly and Eghbali’s first moves was to freeze season ticket costs while also scrapping an unpopular booking fee.
Nevertheless, a number of fans did see their season tickets treble in price shortly before Abramovich’s departure following the refurbishment of the West Stand Upper Tier Concourse and seating.
Boehly and Eghbali maintained these prices for the new ‘Westview’ stand after arriving at the club despite anger from supporters who were forced to shell out for a premium matchday experience.
And while talks are understood to have taken place over a potential increase, Blues chiefs came to the agreement that supporters should not be made to spend more with the club set to miss out on European qualification down in the bottom half of the table.
Boehly and Eghbali are also poised to announce their new permanent head coach, with former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino a heavy favourite.
Pochettino, who has been out of work since being sacked by PSG last year, is expected to take charge in the summer once Lampard’s turbulent caretaker spell draws to a close.