Away ticket prices: Are Dundee fans getting mugged off? And is it time for a £30 cap

[dhsubstack]

I've looked into what each of the 12 Premiership clubs charge in each category and covered it in this Substack newsletter.

You can read it here.

I actually got inspiration to look into this when I read what Dundee United were charging away fans this season.

All feedback welcome.

[Double Blue]

I noticed this morning that Hibs are charging Dees £26 for an adult ticket compared to the £30 we charged Hearts and our own fans on Saturday. 

Why the discrepancy?  I would have gone to Easter Road (like i did last season) for this upcoming game but will be in the Lake District for a family gathering. I will just have to wear one of my Dee tops to feel like I am in Edinburgh. 

[Billy Campbell's Ghost]

From an Arab mate of mine:

”This guy’s target should be the crooked system itself NOT clubs’ efforts to squeeze as much as they can out of it.
United’s pricing was spot-on - the Away allocation sold out. It’s called “the market”. 
If there was a more equitable distribution of the money then I’m sure the clubs would work together more often.”

[dhsubstack]

46 minutes ago, Billy Campbell's Ghost said:

From an Arab mate of mine:

”This guy’s target should be the crooked system itself NOT clubs’ efforts to squeeze as much as they can out of it.
United’s pricing was spot-on - the Away allocation sold out. It’s called “the market”. 
If there was a more equitable distribution of the money then I’m sure the clubs would work together more often.”

The problem with the market economics argument is it encourages a race to the bottom.

Clubs could just start charging Celtic and Rangers fans £100 knowing they would be sold.

It doesn’t make it right.

I’m not sure what ‘crooked system’ he’s referring to (unless he means capitalism itself?). But that’s why we have regulation.

In England, demand for away tickets is much higher than Scotland, but they allow a £30 cap.

I find it strange that he seems to be criticising capitalism but also advocating it.

[dblair]

2 hours ago, Billy Campbell's Ghost said:

From an Arab mate of mine:

”This guy’s target should be the crooked system itself NOT clubs’ efforts to squeeze as much as they can out of it.
United’s pricing was spot-on - the Away allocation sold out. It’s called “the market”. 
If there was a more equitable distribution of the money then I’m sure the clubs would work together more often.”

Delusional if he thinks charging 34 quid a ticket was "spot" on just because it sold out

[dhsubstack]

1 minute ago, dblair said:

Delusional if he thinks charging 34 quid a ticket was "spot" on just because it sold out

You’d be surprised how many agree.

There’s a touch of Stockholm syndrome about it.

[tommy the tap in king]

1 hour ago, dhsubstack said:

The problem with the market economics argument is it encourages a race to the bottom.

Clubs could just start charging Celtic and Rangers fans £100 knowing they would be sold.

It doesn’t make it right.

I’m not sure what ‘crooked system’ he’s referring to (unless he means capitalism itself?). But that’s why we have regulation.

In England, demand for away tickets is much higher than Scotland, but they allow a £30 cap.

I find it strange that he seems to be criticising capitalism but also advocating it.

In England they have the comfort blanket of tv money so can charge less unfortunately the tv companies pay a pittance up here.

[dhsubstack]

Just now, tommy the tap in king said:

In England they have the comfort blanket of tv money so can charge less unfortunately the tv companies pay a pittance up here.

That TV money reflects the massive transfer fees and wages English clubs pay.

Scottish clubs can easily afford the proposals I’m advocating.

If they couldn’t then clubs who already do them wouldn’t.

[Billy Campbell's Ghost]

7 minutes ago, dhsubstack said:

That TV money reflects the massive transfer fees and wages English clubs pay.

Scottish clubs can easily afford the proposals I’m advocating.

If they couldn’t then clubs who already do them wouldn’t.

I think the transfer fees reflect the tv money not the other way round

[dhsubstack]

2 minutes ago, Billy Campbell's Ghost said:

I think the transfer fees reflect the tv money not the other way round

I don’t think it matters in this context:

The point is, Scottish clubs do not have the expenses of English clubs which the TV money is used for, and therefore they could easily agree uniform ticket prices for away fans without any problems.

[an-dee]

36 minutes ago, dhsubstack said:

I don’t think it matters in this context:

The point is, Scottish clubs do not have the expenses of English clubs which the TV money is used for, and therefore they could easily agree uniform ticket prices for away fans without any problems.

My view is that match day income and money generated from ticket sales accounts for a far higher percentage of total revenure for clubs in Scotland than it does down south with their massive income from TV money. It was a few years ago, granted, but I read an article which showed that there were teams in the premier league down south who could let fans in for free every week and still make a profit. I think these clubs with massive TV deals to fall back on can reduce prices for fans much more easily than most clubs up here can.

[dhsubstack]

36 minutes ago, an-dee said:

My view is that match day income and money generated from ticket sales accounts for a far higher percentage of total revenure for clubs in Scotland than it does down south with their massive income from TV money. It was a few years ago, granted, but I read an article which showed that there were teams in the premier league down south who could let fans in for free every week and still make a profit. I think these clubs with massive TV deals to fall back on can reduce prices for fans much more easily than most clubs up here can.

Ultimately it comes down to whether four Premiership clubs can do what the other eight have done (losing adult prices below £30).

And if they all can sit down to standardise concession prices.

They could without it impacting on the bottom line, they just choose not to, and fans seem to just accept it (for the most part).