WOLVES FANS FEEL THEY ARE BEING HELD TO RANSOM WITH HUGE SEASON TICKET PRICE INCREASES
We all expected an increase! We all want our team to do well and understand getting the finances right is essential. Wolves are asking us to invest more of our hard earned money as fans in season tickets but will the owners commit to the same investment in the team and stadium?
THE PRICE INCREASES
In the family enclosure at Molineux, the Billy Wright lower, under-14s face a staggering 133% increase from £105 to £245, while under-21s will now pay £560, a 46.6% rise from £382. Adult season tickets in the same area have increased from £635 to £780, a 22.8% jump, meaning one adult and one under-14 ticket will cost a family £1,025.
In the South Bank and North Bank, adult tickets have seen a 17.6% rise from £625 to £735. Elsewhere at Molineux, supporters on social media report new adult prices of £939 in the Billy Wright upper and £835 in the Steve Bull stand,.
EXPLANATIONS FROM JEFF SHI
Along with the renewal emails, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi included a letter to supporters, stating, “We benchmark our prices against the other 19 Premier League clubs, especially those with similar fanbase sizes, stadium capacities, and sporting achievements. We listen to fan feedback, but our aim is to ensure our prices are neither significantly higher nor lower than our peers.”
Shi emphasized the importance of commercial growth for the club’s sustainability and competitiveness, as Premier League broadcasting revenue is offset by wage bills. He added, “Our disposable income largely comes from commercial activities, including ticket sales, hospitality, and sponsorship. This revenue is the key difference between us and the biggest clubs we have to compete with, and it’s an essential area for us to grow.”
Shi concluded by acknowledging the invaluable support of fans and the club’s commitment to progressing and supporting the team as they move into their seventh successive season in the Premier League.
Jeff Shi
When it comes to setting ticket prices, we benchmark our prices against those of the other 19 Premier League clubs, especially those with similar fanbase sizes, stadium capacities and sporting achievements.
“We do listen to fan feedback, and we understand that price increases are unpopular, but our aim is to ensure our prices are neither significantly higher nor lower than our peers. Our ticketing team has thoroughly researched and compared Wolves with other clubs, and I believe our pricing reflects a fair and reasonable balance based on our current position, past growth and future aspirations.
“Commercial growth is vital for our club’s sustainability and competitiveness. While Premier League broadcasting revenue is indeed a major source of income, it is also easily offset by the club’s wage bills. This means that our disposable income largely comes from commercial activities, including ticket sales, hospitality and sponsorship.
“This revenue is the key difference between us and the biggest clubs that we have to compete with in the Premier League and is an essential area for us to grow over time. Our head coach, his team and squad have put in tremendous effort to ensure our club competes at the highest level on the pitch this season and, as we move into our seventh successive season in the Premier League, we will continue to keep progressing and supporting them as much as we can.
“Your support is invaluable to us, and we are committed to keep growing Wolves to make the club a strong and sustainable presence in the top tier of English football.”
OTHER CHANGES
- During the 2024/25 season, the option to use a smartphone to enter the stadium will be introduced in a phased manner. Therefore, smartcards from the 2023/24 season will be reactivated. PLEASE RETAIN YOUR 2023/24 SMARTCARD.
- The North Bank Bar is to be repurposed as an exclusive area to be offered as a Fan+ package incorporating food & drink benefits to supporters located in the Stan Cullis Lower Tier.
- In previous seasons, those who paid by direct debit were automatically enrolled to auto-renewal for subsequent seasons. This will now also apply to season tickets renewed by card. However, you will always have the opportunity to cancel your season ticket each year before the relevant renewal window ends.
- Redemption of Wolves Cash will not be possible when renewing season tickets for the 2025/26 season onwards.
COMMENTS FROM WOLVES FANS
BRIAN
“I had my email about half hour ago, I had to check, then check again and then treble check…..as an old git in the Steve Bull upper mine has gone up by 22.28%
I have a lot of thinking to do about renewal now. My travel etc costs will probably be edging up to £4000 now if I continued next season, that’s on top of my ST price.”
ANDREW
“Season ticket price rises are frankly a farce! I’m in the North Bank and paid £625 last year, to now charge £735 is absolutely insane given how limp our end of the season was and clear lack of ambition in January to push on when greater things could be accomplished. I spoke to some friends and said £650-675 I can understand the increase not the best but okay. If we are hitting £700 I’m going to have to really think hard about renewing as it’s crazy. Then to see £735 an increase of over £100 to in statistical terms have expected points of 17th it’s beyond me.
Especially as since promotion we are the ONLY club in the league to not have a price freeze for even one year.”
IMPLICATIONS FOR FANS
This has been a difficult time for many people financially and for many of you a season ticket is one of those luxuries in life that get you away from your everyday problems. Financial problems are a key factor in peoples mental health and it is a huge contradiction for Wolves to say they care about these things and not follow up their words with action.
Rachel Smith, Wolves Foundation health and well being manager ” Football is the main thing in a lot of people’s lives. It’s easy to dismiss it as just 90 minutes, but football can be so much more. It brings people together and it might be their only chance to meet up or it can be an escape”
ALWAYS WOLVES THOUGHTS
At Always Wolves we strongly condemn the huge season ticket price increases. The announcement of such huge price hikes are unacceptable and not even in line with inflation. The move seems contradictory to recent mental health messages sent by the club and we feel this is an unreasonable action and would implore the club to reconsider their price structure immediately.
VOTE AND SHARE YOUR OPINION WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
WOLVES SEASON TICKET 2024/25 INCREASE. Have Your Say #wwfc #wolves
— 𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗪𝗢𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗩 (@_AlwaysWolves) May 23, 2024