Supporter groups including Spirit of Shankly and Everton’s Fan Advisory Board condemn multi-year fare increases, warning of protests and claiming club decisions ignore widespread fan opposition.
Football fans on Merseyside are expressing frustration as ticket prices for both Liverpool and Everton continue to climb. The cost of attending matches is becoming increasingly unaffordable, leading to criticism from supporters and fan groups who argue that the new pricing structures negatively affect those who regularly attend games. Both clubs have defended their decisions, citing significant increases in operating costs over the past several years as the primary driver for the price hikes.
Liverpool Football Club announced that general admission ticket prices will rise in line with inflation for the next three seasons. This move comes despite opposition from the club’s supporters' board, which had called for a price freeze. According to the club, operating costs have risen by 85 percent since the 2016 season. Billy Hogan, the club's chief executive, emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly, stating, "the club must remain sustainable, whilst competing for trophies on and off the pitch." Hogan further noted that the club continues to reinvest generated revenue into the squad and infrastructure, though he acknowledged that record revenue does not always translate into profit due to rising costs, including utilities and business rates.
Everton has also faced concerns from its fan advisory board following the club's decision to implement significant price increases for the upcoming season. While the club maintains that some supporters will not see a price change, others face increases of nearly 10 percent, which the board described as close to three times the current rate of inflation. The board expressed disappointment that supporter feedback was not fully integrated into the final decision, warning about the broader impact on the affordability of attending games.
Despite these concerns, Everton noted that the pricing structure for the inaugural season at Hill Dickinson Stadium was reviewed in response to supporter feedback. The club also introduced a simplified tiered system and a revised family area, both intended to broaden access. Both clubs have stated that they remain open to engagement with their supporters, but fans remain wary of the long-term impact these rising costs will have on their communities and the accessibility of the sport.
