Chelsea to keep ticket prices frozen, add discount option for fans 20 and under

For the eighth time in the last decade, Chelsea Football Club will keep the same season and individual match ticket prices.  The price you pay today and next year will be the same as the price you paid in 2011/12.  This in and of itself is great fan service, as Tim Rolls explained in our feature on the changing cost of football from last fall.

"It is worth bearing in mind that since 2004/05 the price of the cheapest adult league ticket at Chelsea has ‘only' risen by 30 percent, with inflation rising 32 percent and average gross weekly wages by 30 percent. The current Chelsea board get flak but in reality they have actually stabilised prices in line with the wider economy."

-source: From fish paste to prawn sandwiches

Chelsea are by no means a cheap attraction of course -- literally and figuratively -- and high ticket prices remain one of the greatest contributing factors to what is sometimes criticized as a lack of atmosphere at home games.  Even Jose Mourinho highlighted this issue earlier this season.

Perhaps due in part to that attention, with no doubt additional help from the various online petitions and the work of the Chelsea Supporters Trust and other fan groups, Chelsea are introducing a new discounted category for supporters 20 and under.  The concessionary pricing, which before only applied to supporters over 65 or under 18, will be available in all home areas of the stadium.

Chelsea will also continue to subsidize tickets and travel to away matches.  Good job, Bruce Buck and Co!

"We constantly review our ticket prices, and discuss our pricing structure with our fans. This is the eighth time in 10 seasons there has been no increase in the cost of general admission tickets at Stamford Bridge and now we are going to help more of our younger fans with our new concessionary pricing for our supporters in the under-20 age group. We recognise the importance of our younger fan base to the present day and the future of Chelsea."

-Bruce Buck; source: Chelsea FC