Will going on the Turf/live football ever be really affordable again ?

[claretonthecoast1882]

As a general rule yes it would make more attractive.

I sit in the middle of the longside upper works out at less than £24 a game and is the dearest area. other stands worked out under £20 a game

[Newcastleclaret93]

I sit in the middle of the longside upper works out at less than £24 a game and is the dearest area. other stands worked out under £20 a game

Yes but the stand I am sitting in costs £35 a ticket

[fidelcastro]

Yes but the stand I am sitting in costs £35 a ticket

You've changed your tune. I thought it was Dyche and the quality of the football that was the problem?

[Bosscat]

Yes but the stand I am sitting in costs £35 a ticket

Have you thought about how much a ticket might be at other grounds....

Screenshot_20211123-104945_Chrome.jpg (358.65 KiB) Viewed 2851 times

This was the season before lockdown

[Zlatan]

The marketing states "frozen for early birds" because that's exactly what it's been. Season ticket prices hadn't gone up at all in that time. The big non-early bird price increases this yearn were the first since 2014.

It would be fascinating to see the actual marketing over the past 10 years side by side. I’m certain my first ST (JMU) was around the £329 mark and my most recent one was I think £429 (CFS - supposedly cheaper seats) and that’s just my observation, which may be wrong and I’m happy to be corrected with facts if any has any.

It’s still good value at our club, but I can see and understand peoples concerns about price increases.

My match day expenditure consists of about £50 diesel and £30 on food and drink, and then the ST cost on top. It’s certainly not cheap for me, but it’s my choice to spend that as I usually enjoy the experience win lose or draw.

Recently though with the increase in idiots wanting a fight because they’re high on Peruvian marching powder and the combination of the club seemingly allowing it to happen darkens the whole experience for me and I probably won’t bother next season. For me, it’s not the cost, but the value of the experience - I don’t want to pay to have dickheads ruining my day. Easy to solve with strict disciplinary rules - and ban the scrotes, but they won’t do that unfortunately.

[claret2018]

I enjoy watching at home more than I do at the ground these days too. No dickheads, no queues and no traffic!

[Burnley1989]

I enjoy watching at home more than I do at the ground these days too. No dickheads, no queues and no traffic!

My Grandads got a season ticket and isn’t fit enough to attend anymore, I just invite him round and make him pie & peas if I decide not to go on.

If I feel I haven’t seen my mates for a while and fancy going on I’ll go, I’m going Wolves away and Villa away but it’s just down to how I feel when I’m asked by mates

[ŽižkovClaret]

The empty seats around the Turf are worrying, and it isn't just us, have the days of parents being able to easily afford to bring their children on without sacrificing something else to afford it, will the aloof attitude of owners and players etc continue especially as they drive to the grounds in pampered luxury averting their gaze away from the food bins.
With changes to working patterns/jobs available and various kick off times sometimes buying a season ticket isn't feasible it's the matchday prices that are my concern.
We keep thinking it will implode,wages will crash, tickets costs will slump but nothing.
I think we will be risking losing the next generation of fans.

We have very cheap options for the most affordable Season Tickets imho. We are in the Premier League after all?

[ŽižkovClaret]

A return to commentary being broadcast locally on FM would be a nice move though. Surely that cant be too hard?

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Forty quid for food, for one person for one day?? Where are you eating?? You don’t HAVE to spend that on food, that’s a choice.

I leave Didcot at 7am and last time I got home at 1am.

Try telling me you wouldn't spend much on food during that time...

It's better than spending that much on booze though.

[Rombald]

It is very easy to blame the club for everything, don't those who claim to support Burnley but watch illegal streams while being able to afford it share some of the blame.

Season tickets are very cheap the dearest normal ticket works out less than £24 a game, but some would rather drink the £20 and watch on a tv. What can the club do with attitudes like that ? Train travel has gone silly for those having to travel from outside the North West again the club can do nothing about that.

Agree completely.

In addition, part of the enjoyment of the match is the build up , the journey, meeting friends and family. The thrill of live football is far, far superior to watching an illegal stream. TV or live, no comparison at all for me.
Cost is relative . What is the cost of the cinema, going for a meal, going to most entertainment places. Nothing is cheap anymore. £20 for a match at Burnley isn't going to happen anytime soon.

It does make me smile that the same individuals moaning about the current squad are then v happy to pay a fortune on new players and moan about any potential debt. Its not a charity...

[PaintYorkClaretnBlue]

I leave Didcot at 7am and last time I got home at 1am.

Try telling me you wouldn't spend much on food during that time...

It's better than spending that much on booze though.

Ok, there is not a chance I would spend that much on food in that time period.

[Burnley1989]

I leave Didcot at 7am and last time I got home at 1am.

Try telling me you wouldn't spend much on food during that time...

It's better than spending that much on booze though.

I’d probably spend more, I’m a right greedy get

[Winstonswhite]

If the situation is bad now, what’s it going to be like when we get relegated and are paying the same prices. I can honestly see us getting sub 10k for league games. Hopefully won’t happen for a few years though.

[Herts Clarets]

I was talking to a Luton fan yesterday (one who was rather relieved he didn't make the trip to QPR on Friday but that's a different topic altogether) and he pays £500 for a season ticket. He said "I bet the ones at Burnley are a grand a seat aren't they"? He was amazed when i told him the price of a ST at the Turf to watch Premier League football was, depending on the stand chosen was the same price or less than one for Championship football at Kenilworth Road, hardly the lap of luxury when it comes to watching football.

[bfcjg]

I think football is evolving like pubs and breweries TBH products the same but now it is so.much cheaper to drink at home without costly pubs to run and maintain. The social aspect of going for a few beers is like going on the Turf, mingling meeting people but the owners just see the tv money as brewers just see the beer sales and it is sod the fans if they'll pay they'll pay if not that nice Mr Murdoch will and we dont need as many stewards,police employees etc.

[wilks_bfc]

A return to commentary being broadcast locally on FM would be a nice move though. Surely that cant be too hard?

I may be missing the point here, but how would local radio commentary improve match attendance?

[claretonthecoast1882]

I was talking to a Luton fan yesterday (one who was rather relieved he didn't make the trip to QPR on Friday but that's a different topic altogether) and he pays £500 for a season ticket. He said "I bet the ones at Burnley are a grand a seat aren't they"? He was amazed when i told him the price of a ST at the Turf to watch Premier League football was, depending on the stand chosen was the same price or less than one for Championship football at Kenilworth Road, hardly the lap of luxury when it comes to watching football.

I think there are some with no idea at all how much football is across the board and lower down the leagues.

As for QPR Luton was always going to happen, a lot of needle between the pair

[Billy Balfour]

Burnley is one of the lowest paid areas in the UK and people are being financially stretched at the moment. Also, I always thought our gates would slip the longer we remained in the EPL. Then you have Covid. There are those who don't feel safe when the R-rate is high.

The other week Wetherspoons said their draft beer sales were down 20% and this was likely to be the older end not going out to pubs due to Covid. And then you have those who found they didn't miss football so much during the lockdown. A couple of mates of ours took up hiking/mountain biking during lockdown and say they would rather be active at the weekend, than sat on t'Turf.

[dandeclaret]

Ok, there is not a chance I would spend that much on food in that time period.

Neither would I. I also wouldn't turn an 8 hour day for an event into an 18 hour day to justify it.

[dandeclaret]

Undoubtedly season tickets, particularly early bird ones, are better value for money, but they’re still quite a commitment if you’re not that well off. I don’t really get the comparison with other football clubs because, in my opinion, most football is too expensive. Even comparing to average income or the price of a pint is difficult because there are other competing forms of entertainment. Hence my earlier suggestion that perhaps BFC could be a trail bla zer for cheaper prices.

They wouldn't be a trailblazer though. Bradford have done it for years (big crowds, but struggled financially and didn't get promoted), Blackburn did it when in the prem, and still do it in the championship - doesn't work.

I said this at the start of the season, the Burnley fans way, is they want better football, bigger signings or removal of valuable sponsors...... but don't want to have to contribute more themselves to pay for it. There's very little perspective in the view.

[Jakubclaret]

A return to commentary being broadcast locally on FM would be a nice move though. Surely that cant be too hard?

Already is they split the frequencies on the 3 FM bands to cover most games & then you have Dab also, everything's broadcast apart from internet radio.

[Burnley1989]

I think football is evolving like pubs and breweries TBH products the same but now it is so.much cheaper to drink at home without costly pubs to run and maintain. The social aspect of going for a few beers is like going on the Turf, mingling meeting people but the owners just see the tv money as brewers just see the beer sales and it is sod the fans if they'll pay they'll pay if not that nice Mr Murdoch will and we dont need as many stewards,police employees etc.

Probably something in that, these days I’m in contact with all my mates every single day in our WhatsApp group, many years ago you’d meet your mates in the same spot in a pub before the game. Times change, I can think of loads of examples, one being Saturday & Sunday amateur football. There was 3 full leagues in the Sunday league 10 years ago, not sure if there’s even 1 now, lads just can’t be arsed playing anymore.

[Tribesmen]

Now just did a bit of a count up and at a guess for me and the wife to head over to the UK for a game spend two days in Burnley would around about £680 for the pair of us .

[FeedTheArf]

I don't necessarily think season ticket prices are the issue. I've been in JML for donkeys now and only pay £17 a game. The issue is attracting the fans for the odd game. I'd find it hard to justify paying £30 for the same seat for a single game.

The catch-22 situation comes when you reduce the walk-on price too much and p*ss off the season ticket holders.

I'm out of touch with walk-on deals, and I'm not sure whether they still do the category A/B prices, but maybe the club could look at a 5-game pass for say £100-£110 for JML to pitch somewhere in the middle of the walk-on or season ticket price?

[Herts Clarets]

Cost me £74 for a return train (450 mile round trip) and a seat in the BL for the Norwich game. I could have paid less in one of the other stands but i wanted to sit next to my Dad.

[ŽižkovClaret]

I may be missing the point here, but how would local radio commentary improve match attendance?

Just think it could plant the seeds for future attendees

[Backofthenet]

Reading the posts on here,its not the price of tickets which put people off,but the associated costs of attending games....fuel food drink etc, even a £10 cut in ticket prices wouldn't help that, nothing really the club can do

[wilks_bfc]

Just think it could plant the seeds for future attendees

I’m not sure it would tbh

I can’t see the “younger generation” tuning into Radio Lancs, especially when you are unable to listen to it on phones as the commentary isn’t allowed to be broadcast on the internet.

[ŽižkovClaret]

I’m not sure it would tbh

I can’t see the “younger generation” tuning into Radio Lancs, especially when you are unable to listen to it on phones as the commentary isn’t allowed to be broadcast on the internet.

Maybe ive gone all Hovis advert lol but i was just seeing Grandparents listening with nippers while the parents go on the turf and the kid getting a taste for it

[fatboy47]

Maybe ive gone all Hovis advert lol but i was just seeing Grandparents listening with nippers while the parents go on the turf and the kid getting a taste for it

I were nobbut a nipper when mi dad fust took mi on t'turf

Me mam med us a soot case full of sanwitches.

[Paulclaret]

I've only been up to the Turf once this season due to the cost of travel. I've lived in Bournemouth for the past 7 years and used to be able to get up to Burnley between 8 to 10 times a season, so I kept my season ticket because I wanted to sit with family members. I now think this will be my last year as a season ticket holder and it makes me really sad, but I can't justify paying for a season ticket that I hardly ever use. Since lockdown, the times of the trains make it very difficult to travel unless I go via London, which makes the fare in excess of £100. I will always be a Claret and will try to get up for occasional matches, but the overall cost is prohibitive.

[Stanbill05]

I can see why so many people spend the money but can't justify it myself (although I don't live close either). Local club charges a fiver with kids free if wearing team colours (and AstroTurf available for them to play on). Good atmosphere, decent beer on terrace, competitive very watchable games and football on TV in clubhouse before and after. Entire family day out for less than higher price ticket on Turf. More important than money though, I don't care about the result and therefore the only stress comes from tracking Burnley on the skybet app...

[Guppyspotter]

Living 180+ miles away it's a combination of the cost of fuel and the inability to simply go onto the clubs website, choose an unsold seat and buy a ticket.

Thought I'd try and buy a ticket after typing that; went onto the website, seems I have to phone the ticket office between 09.15-17.00.

Rang the ticket office and the recorded message says closes at 16.00hrs.

Yep, it isn't easy to buy a ticket.

[Andreshotboots]

I don't think anybody can be suprised by the fall in numbers.Pre Covid, many of the lads around me were contemplating that season being their last due to all the above mentioned factors.

If you don't feel you're getting entertainment value for money, then Covid comes along, basically making many peoples minds up for them..

I have to say as a longstanding fan that the opinions and examples on here are both worrying, but completely understandable. I have total sympathy for the club because no matter what they try I feel the missing 3,000 or so could be gone for good even though the football on offer this season, in my opinion is as good as it's been for several years.

[Backofthenet]

I would never, whilst physically able, not have a season ticket. I realise iam very fortunate that i can afford one, as can my family, we dont live in burnley, but not far enough away that food or fuel are a great concern. I might spend thirty quid in the pub over the day.
I can however sympathise with those who have long journeys, involving rail fares, long days,and food to buy.

If i had to factor in an extra hundred quid or so per game,i may too pick and choose my games. This however it is not simply a football problem. Those cost issues would also be present on any day out, making the thirty quid for a ticket to a football match, the cheapest part of the day.

[KRBFC]

What would be best to compare it then ?

Teams in the same division ?
Teams in the same area ?
Teams in lower leagues ?

As a guide Preston are at Middlesbrough tonight and it is £30 for adults, same as it is for us at every away game.

Blackburn are charging their fans up to £25 for Peterborough at home tonight and that is a Category C game the lowest they do/

This isn't a dig at the club, it's a dig at English football as a whole.

[Stayingup]

Season tickets are great value at Burnley. I dont know whats wrong with some people. I hear excuses like style of play etc from some people who go.in the pub and watch it streamed and probably spend £25 on.beer.

[KRBFC]

Have you thought about how much a ticket might be at other grounds....
Screenshot_20211123-104945_Chrome.jpg

This was the season before lockdown

Well that's the point ain't it, this topic isn't just about Burnley, it's about the pricing in the English game.

[Vegas Claret]

football is out of control across the board. The wages are abhorrent at the higher levels and the owners and leagues milk it for all they can. It's no wonder we are seeing empty seats in a lot of stadiums post pandemic

[evensteadiereddie]

Quite right but our tickets are cheap and, over a season, you're seeing , arguably, most of the world's top players. The club, as far as I'm concerned, have done their best to provide us with decent value for money and continue to do so.
I love the matchday experience, including the wretched M6, the build up and so on and feel disappointed when I miss games at Burnley even though our home games are as good as away ones for me.
I think we, as a club, are a little more vulnerable than others.
For various reasons - I'll not go into them - standards of living, for many people in the North particularly, are continuing to fall and will fall further once interest rates and fuel bills rise. There'll be even less spare cash about. I just hope we can keep a core of , say, 16,000 for the rest of our PL tenure.

[Silkyskills1]

This isn't a dig at the club, it's a dig at English football as a whole.

I don't think it's a 'dig' at anybody or anything. It's just a thread where supporters are showing concern for the reduced numbers that attend games or openly explaining that the cost of living for them has now reached a level where they have to prioritise their spending power, often resulting in them not going to the match as regularly as they used to or would like to. Whatever way we view it a major problem has/Is developing that will have significant repercussions in the not too distant future.

[Bosscat]

Well that's the point ain't it, this topic isn't just about Burnley, it's about the pricing in the English game.

No the OP was about Burnley FC and its still among the cheapest premier league grounds (assuming you get past the obstacles put in front of you to purchase a ticket on the website or Ticket office) and the person I was replying to was on about the cost of his seat at BFC.

I was pointing out the costs around the league

[bfcjg]

Probably something in that, these days I’m in contact with all my mates every single day in our WhatsApp group, many years ago you’d meet your mates in the same spot in a pub before the game. Times change, I can think of loads of examples, one being Saturday & Sunday amateur football. There was 3 full leagues in the Sunday league 10 years ago, not sure if there’s even 1 now, lads just can’t be arsed playing anymore.

Very true, once of a day nearly everyone you knew played at the weekend, and there were enough of teams for all abilities.

[Dy1geo]

I have 2 Adults and a U23 ST’s and given that I will miss about 5 matches this season and with next season starting when it does, if the club increase the price by a stupid amount ( I can tolerate an up to 5% increase) I will not be renewing.

[alf_resco]

Life is a compromise. Close to 70 yrs old, my own circumstances have changed many times over the years.
When I was young, single and living 10 mins from the Turf, I attended every game and couldn't understand why everyone wasn't the same.
50 yrs later, my situation and my thinking are different. There's actually nothing really to stop me going on the Turf but I haven't for 3 yrs now. I have other (and better) ways to spend my time and money. I suspect thus it ever was; the difference now being that young kids - I went unaccompanied as a 12yr old because my Dad wasn't interested - can't just rock up with a pal or two at the last minute, and they have a million other things they can do/ watch now which weren't options in my day.
I think attendances will continue to decline whatever.

[Mala591]

Why not try reducing the ticket price to £20 (adult) four hours before kick-off?

1,000 tickets sold at £20 is much better than 0 tickets at £40.

I decided to buy a ticket online on Saturday afternoon at 12.30 and by 12.33 I had my ticket (QR code) on my phone.

[pushpinpussy]

If you are asking the question will it be affordable again I assume you think it’s expensive. I think it’s usually an amazing day out with my young son and I look at it like that. I could be taking him somewhere else for the same price but seeing him getting excited walking to the turf is priceless. I’d pay more if I had too

[PaintYorkClaretnBlue]

Why not try reducing the ticket price to £20 (adult) four hours before kick-off?

1,000 tickets sold at £20 is much better than 0 tickets at £40.

I decided to buy a ticket online on Saturday afternoon at 12.30 and by 12.33 I had my ticket (QR code) on my phone.

Because there would be little incentive to buy a season ticket if they did that.

[clarethomer]

I am keen to see what increases happen next year. I do expect increases too.

Fair to say that watching Cornet has given me something to look forward to and I am looking to see what January's window brings to the squad.

Not saying I wont renew but if there are double digit % increases and no more investment in the club and we are still struggling to clear the bottom 3 - I do fear that the ground will look more empty than ever and people will not want to commit to spending more on a ticket - even if it means more games for your money.