Alex - City Matters
Well-Known Member
For the record, I sent the below to the Club yesterday regarding the Inter prices. They were in touch today to justify the pricing, so no indication they would be changing.
STARTS
I wanted to follow up this email to express how disappointed City Matters are about the pricing for the Inter fixture. Both in that we were not consulted on the price but also at the levels which have been set.
As has been pointed out on social media, the pricing is around a 70% increase compared to the match against RB Leipzig last season - which was the quote on quote 'premier' home match. For others, such as North Stand Level 2 it is a near 100% increase. Whilst I appreciate that Inter are very likely a more attractive fixture than Leipzig, this is still an extremely high increase.
It is also practically the same as those on the cup scheme paid against Real Madrid last season, in the quarter final of the competition. How can the Club justify charging similar for the first round of what is essentially the group stage?
I would also draw your attention to the Club's argument that criteria needed to be relaxed due to it being the League Phase and the short turnaround. Clearly, that did not extend to the pricing too.
Likewise, the Club often argue that criteria should be relaxed in order for matchday members to attend. How can members who cannot afford these prices attend? Is it not the same argument? Let alone those who have to pay for their family to attend (not exclusive to matchday members, of course).
We should not forget that the introduction of the League Phase to the Champions League has resulted in an additional home match for supporters to attend. With this in mind, it would have been sensible to reflect this additional financial burden on supporters with an appropriate price.
City Matters offered a number of suggestions to the Club over the summer, such as reduced pricing for cup competitions, as a result of the (opposed) season ticket price increases. As far as we can tell, the Club have not acted on any of these, but we hope that the remaining League Phase matches can be priced at an appropriate and reasonable price for supporters.
There is a narrative that the Club is trying to squeeze as much revenue as possible from supporters. Indeed, recent actions (from disabled parking, season tickets, Inter tickets and more) unfortunately lend credence to such view.
ENDS
STARTS
I wanted to follow up this email to express how disappointed City Matters are about the pricing for the Inter fixture. Both in that we were not consulted on the price but also at the levels which have been set.
As has been pointed out on social media, the pricing is around a 70% increase compared to the match against RB Leipzig last season - which was the quote on quote 'premier' home match. For others, such as North Stand Level 2 it is a near 100% increase. Whilst I appreciate that Inter are very likely a more attractive fixture than Leipzig, this is still an extremely high increase.
It is also practically the same as those on the cup scheme paid against Real Madrid last season, in the quarter final of the competition. How can the Club justify charging similar for the first round of what is essentially the group stage?
I would also draw your attention to the Club's argument that criteria needed to be relaxed due to it being the League Phase and the short turnaround. Clearly, that did not extend to the pricing too.
Likewise, the Club often argue that criteria should be relaxed in order for matchday members to attend. How can members who cannot afford these prices attend? Is it not the same argument? Let alone those who have to pay for their family to attend (not exclusive to matchday members, of course).
We should not forget that the introduction of the League Phase to the Champions League has resulted in an additional home match for supporters to attend. With this in mind, it would have been sensible to reflect this additional financial burden on supporters with an appropriate price.
City Matters offered a number of suggestions to the Club over the summer, such as reduced pricing for cup competitions, as a result of the (opposed) season ticket price increases. As far as we can tell, the Club have not acted on any of these, but we hope that the remaining League Phase matches can be priced at an appropriate and reasonable price for supporters.
There is a narrative that the Club is trying to squeeze as much revenue as possible from supporters. Indeed, recent actions (from disabled parking, season tickets, Inter tickets and more) unfortunately lend credence to such view.
ENDS
