Arsenal supporters have criticised the club for increasing season ticket prices and introducing a new “A+” ticket category, accusing the Gunners of following an “American/FIFA model of squeezing more and more from fans.”

The club announced a 3.9 per cent rise in season ticket prices on Tuesday, alongside plans to launch an A+ category for general admission tickets in the 2026/27 season.

The new tier will sit above the existing A, B, and C categories and will apply to high-profile Champions League matches, such as potential quarter-finals and semi-finals, with prices ranging from £90 to £168 — the highest general ticket pricing among Premier League clubs.

Reacting to the announcement, the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST) said:

“We strongly opposed Arsenal’s proposal for a new category A+ ticket, starting in season 2026/27. It puts Arsenal top of a table we don’t want to win and questions how serious the club is about its commitment to being together on a journey with supporters.”

The trust said the club initially suggested the A+ tickets would apply only to big Champions League knockout matches, but warned that additional revenue from broadcast rights, commercial bonuses, and ticketing already reduces the need to charge supporters extra:

“We reminded the club that when Arsenal proceed to the later stages of the Champions League, huge additional sums are earned in broadcast rights, commercial bonuses and ticketing revenue, negating the need to extract even more from supporters. Furthermore, UEFA have already announced big increases to future broadcast revenues.”

AST noted that Arsenal later confirmed the A+ category would be applied to no more than two games in 2026/27 and pledged not to extend it for at least two seasons:

“Following further discussion, Arsenal returned with a commitment that the A+ would only be applied to a maximum of two games in season 2026/27, specifically a potential Champions League quarter-final and semi-final.

“They also responded to our call to rule out any extending of this price category in future seasons by giving a commitment not to do so for at least two seasons. This provides some temporary comfort but we do fear that in future seasons we will see that price category creep.

“This pricing level follows the American/FIFA model of squeezing more and more from fans. It is perhaps significant that this change has come when Arsenal’s Boardroom has become more US-centric following three appointments in September 2025.

“We will continue to make the case for ticket price restraint and fairness to both the new Board and Arsenal’s Executive in future meetings as we believe it is vital that the club is aware of the impact pricing has on its loyal supporter base.”

The AST also criticised the decision to raise season ticket prices despite growing revenues:

“We are disappointed that the FSA’s (Football Supporters’ Association’s) ‘Protect the Fans, Protect the Game’ proposals calling for a ticket price freeze across all Premier League clubs has not been taken up.

“Neither the Premier League nor Arsenal have seriously engaged with the idea that a freeze at all clubs would help stop the ‘arms race’. We firmly believe that with the football sector benefitting from ever-increasing broadcast and commercial revenues it is time to stop squeezing match-going supporters so hard.

“Arsenal recently reported to Deloitte a big increase in last season’s total revenue to £691m (up by 10 per cent) and ticketing income of £154m (up by 19 per cent).

“It is frustrating for fans to see football clubs and leagues do so little to combat increasing costs in the game, with ticket prices continuing to rise. The AST has led efforts through the FSA and FSE for regulation to control agents’ fees.”

“Yet the football authorities and clubs seem incapable of collectively addressing this. We now expect both Arsenal and the Premier League to give more explanation as to why they have chosen to ignore the compelling case for a price freeze put forward by the ‘Protect the Fans, Protect the Game’ campaign, which was overwhelmingly backed by supporters including all representative members of the Arsenal Advisory Board (AAB).”

In response, Arsenal defended the price increase as necessary for financial sustainability and investment in the squad and infrastructure:

“While we are making progress toward our ambition of winning major trophies, we are still working toward financial sustainability. Our investment in our playing squads and infrastructure is dependent on the revenue we drive in the face of rising costs. It is with this backdrop that we have considered our Season Ticket pricing for next season.”

The club also confirmed plans to introduce safe standing at the Emirates Stadium over the next two seasons, starting with the lower tier of the Clock End in 2026/27 and the North Bank in 2027/28. (Arise News)

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