Industry News

Leeds United losing out over high away prices

Away tickets at Leeds United’s Elland Road may be costing the Championship club more money that it’s making.

When Bristol City visited the Yorkshire club’s home ground last month, there were fewer than 500 tickets sold. The blame for the low sales was directed at the high ticket prices.

According to the BBC Price of Football study, it usually costs away fans between £37 and £39 for advanced purchases, with tickets bought on the day costing more.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have this week re-ignited the debate by subsidising prices for their travelling fans heading to Leeds. In doing so, supporters will pay £30 for full price tickets and £20 for concessions.

Leeds United sold just 23,833 tickets to visiting supporters across every league game last season, according to figures published by the BBC Football League TV show. That was the second lowest combined away attendance in the Championship despite the fact that Elland Road had the third largest capacity in the division.

Away tickets that year cost between £35 and £37, according to the BBC study, which means the club will have earned between £834,155 and £881,821 from away ticket sales.

However, clubs that charge less for their tickets drew bigger away crowds and as a result brought in more money from away ticket sales.

Fulham top the list with a combined total of 60,685 visiting fans at Craven Cottage last season, with away tickets for the south London club costing between £20 and £30.

Image: Auz