Premier League ticket prices: Richard Scudamore says new report will “bust some myths” surrounding cost of football
Premier League chief Richard Scudamore has hit back at criticism of ticket prices after the division released new data it says shows the real cost of football.
Scudamore said the data, which shows that more than half of all Premier League tickets will cost £30 or less, will 'bust some myths' on the issue.
The division's executive chairman has also argued that the atmosphere inside Premier League grounds will be protected after clubs agreed to place at least one block of fans pitch-side from next season.
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England's top tier clubs were asked to provide full details of ticket prices, discounts, allocations, availability and purchasing history as part of the Premier League's investigation into prices.
The Ernst & Young verified report found that the average ticket price is £31 while exactly a quarter cost £20 or less.
56 per cent of fans attending games will pay £30 or less this season, 22 per cent of tickets will be priced between £40 and £60 while just four per cent will cost £60 or more.
The report also found that 71 per cent of supporters inside stadiums are season ticket holders while 4m tickets will be sold at discounted prices.
"This research shows how hard the clubs are working to make Premier League football accessible — home and away — and keep their grounds full and vibrant," wrote Scudamore in The Times.
"These figures will go a long way to busting some of the myths perpetrated about the cost of attending Premier League matches and hopefully encourage even more people to attend a live match."
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Premier League clubs must now allow some travelling supporters to be in a lower tier as close to the pitch as possible.
Scudamore said this would help away fans generate atmosphere.
"Basically you won't be able to be stuck up in the third tier, out in the corner, if you're an away fan," said Scudamore.
"Pitch-side is the easiest way of describing it but clearly some ground configurations mean there might be some gap between where the seats actually are and there might be something else between that and the pitch.
"It's about atmosphere. One of the unique things about our game, particularly in England, is the amount of away fans and the noise they create. When an away goal is scored, you want that atmosphere and interaction between the two sets of fans."