West Ham United faces a crucial juncture as the season ticket renewal deadline looms. New manager Julen Lopetegui has ignited excitement for a fresh approach, but a bitter pill of increased ticket prices and concession changes threatens to dampen that enthusiasm.
While the club likely expects a high renewal rate due to Lopetegui’s arrival, this masks a deeper issue – a disconnect between the club and its supporters. The refusal to acknowledge fan concerns regarding affordability is a gamble, one that could erode loyalty in the long run.
This lack of consultation creates a sense of alienation, a feeling that fans are simply seen as a revenue stream, not the lifeblood of the club.
West Ham isn’t alone. Wolves’ outrageous price hikes, particularly for children’s tickets, expose a wider problem in the Premier League. Crystal Palace stands as a beacon of responsible pricing, while Arsenal’s reversal after fan pressure shows the power of collective action.
Financial experts like Kevin Maguire point out the contradiction between maximizing revenue and maintaining football’s historical ties to the working class. Steep price increases push the sport further out of reach for many, threatening the very fabric of its passionate fanbase.
Lopetegui’s arrival brings a glimmer of hope. The promise of exciting, attacking football might be enough to convince some fans to swallow the price hike. However, such loyalty can’t be taken for granted.
West Ham is playing a risky game. While short-term financial gains might be tempting, neglecting the concerns of loyal fans could backfire. They should learn from the mistakes of other clubs and work towards a sustainable model that prioritises both financial health and fan engagement. After all, a full stadium filled with passionate supporters is worth more than empty seats and disenchanted fans
Be thank-full you weren’t born in Fulham!!
When we moved to the London Stadium we were promised affordable tickets for local people and in particular for kids. Initially my grandkids tickets were £100 These were very reasonable prices for kids to become part of the West Ham Family The renewal price is £190 . Hardly fair or reasonable when you consider WHU didn’t build or pay for their new home. Yet again Sullivan etc have not been entirely honest with the fans.
Are you Aving a giraffe £385 for my band 5 season ticket is a remarkably cheap for premiership football …
I’m also in band 5 and as a senior my ST is £195 that’s why even thoughi have to put up with terrible transport links i won’t give it up.
Our ST prices have been some of the lowest since the stadium move, now we need to make the bigger crowds work for the club.
If we want to compete, more income needs to be generated & ticket prices are an obvious source
Ticket revenue is a tiny amount of income for premier league clubs amongst the many hundreds of millions they earn from far bigger revenue streams.
We attract a very different fanbase compared to say 10 or 20 years ago and like years ago, if things go badly wrong, there will be a big chunk that will not put up with being taken for granted – a big problem for many clubs.
Compare our ticket revenue to spurs & arsenal,
Spurs £106m
Arsenal £103m
WHU £41m
Massive gaps that need closing
It obviously doesn’t help when the club dosent get any of the catering rights . It’s that what’s the real issue . I remember Sullivan saying that it was worth £13m a year at Upton park. It’ would in all likelihood be triple that now 8 years on . Given the difference in attendance and the scandalous pricing in the LS .
Personally I’ll support them whatever happens that’s what loyal fans do me and my wife didn’t dither we renewed ages ago ,COYI
Nothing will ever be ok at westham as long as sullivan is involved.
Hiking the price and offering peanuts in the transfer mkt is a sullivan trend.
Bruno the latest debacle. All sullivan has ever done is take with interest.