Chelsea have frozen general admission season ticket prices for the 12th consecutive year to appease fans after a disastrous season.
Despite spending an unprecedented £600 million on new signings this season, the Blues languish in 11th place after losing 14 of their 34 Premier League games to date.
They have hired four different head coaches after the sacking of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter – with Bruno Saltor and current caretaker Frank Lampard both temporarily in charge – as they struggled for league form and crashed 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 wrath of supporters for a number of questionable decisions in their first full season at the helm, including Tuchel’s sacking in September.
As a result, the much-maligned duo have opted to freeze season ticket prices ahead of the 2023-24 campaign in a bid to win over fans, Chelsea confirmed this on Thursday.
Chelsea have frozen their general admission ticket prices for the 12th year in a row
Co-owners Behdad Eghbali (left) and Todd Boehly (right) have made the move to appease disgruntled fans after a disastrous campaign
The Blues are in the bottom half of the Premier League amid crisis on and off the pitch
In a statement announcing their subscription plans for next season, the club said: ‘This season has not delivered the results we all want. We know what we’re working towards, but we also know that it takes hard work, determination and commitment. We all want to see Chelsea back where we belong and experience many more victories together at Stamford Bridge.
“Adult General Admission (GA) tickets have been frozen since 2011/12, meaning season ticket prices have fallen by 32% in real terms since 2005. Like many industries, our costs have also increased significantly. Stamford Bridge’s operation and matchday delivery have been particularly subject to inflationary pressures – a 31% increase since 2018.
“We are also well aware of the rise in the cost of living and the impact it has on our supporters.
“In view of all these factors, the board has decided to freeze GA season tickets for the 2023/24 season.”
The move comes as a consolation to 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 at Bournemouth finally came to an end .
Amid turmoil on and off the pitch, Chelsea’s Supporters’ Trust wrote an open letter to the club in March warning them of “irreversible toxicity” if they decided to raise season ticket prices.
Citing the current cost of living crisis in the UK, the rise in Chelsea’s commercial revenues, their diabolical season and the impact that increased ticket prices could have on the matchday atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, the group begged Boehly and Eghbali to stick to their prices next season.
Season tickets ranged from £595 to £940 during the 2022-23 season, while individual match day tickets were on general sale for between £53 and £76 for adults.
Chelsea’s Supporters’ Trust warned the club of ‘irreversible toxicity’ if they raised prices
The Blues have had four different head coaches this season after firing Thomas Tuchel (left) and Graham Potter (right)
And the Supporters’ Trust’s concerns have now been heard after Chelsea confirmed their subscription price freeze for the 12th consecutive year.
The move means that fans in general admission zones at Stamford Bridge will still pay less for their season tickets than fans of London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, who take home the highest prices in English football.
Chelsea’s cheapest adult general admission ticket is set at £750, while Tottenham will cost £807 after the north London club also freeze their prices for next season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have announced an average five per cent increase on season tickets that already cost more than £900.
After replacing Roman Abramovich at Chelsea last year, one of Boehly and Eghbali’s first moves was to freeze subscription fees and scrap an unpopular booking fee.
Nevertheless, a number of fans saw their season tickets triple in price shortly before Abramovich’s departure following the refurbishment of the West Stand Upper Tier Concourse and seating.
Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be confirmed as Potter’s replacement in the coming weeks
Boehly and Eghbali maintained these prices for the new ‘Westview’ stand after arriving at the club, despite anger from supporters having to pay for a first-class matchday experience.
Talks were said to have taken place over a possible increase in general admission tickets next season, before the Blues chiefs agreed that supporters should not spend more as the club is on the verge of missing out on European qualification in the bottom half of the season . the table.
Boehly and Eghbali are also about to announce their new permanent head coach, with former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino a firm favourite.
Pochettino, who has been out of work since being sacked by PSG last year, is expected to take charge in the summer as Lampard’s turbulent spell as caretaker comes to an end.
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