CELTIC DUNDEE UNITED TICKET FIASCO IS THE LAST STRAW, WE NEED PRICE CONTROLS
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- 19 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Celtic have made representations to the authorities this week regarding the price hike placed on visiting supporters ahead of what will, hopefully, be a title winning party against Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday.
These issues are nothing new though.
It seems we have one team or another complaining about unfair ticketing prices, or the lack of attendance by fans on a weekly basis.
Yet, it seems many clubs are unwilling or unable to accept that these two problems are directly intertwined.
Celtic Should Demand Universal Pricing, To Prevent Another Dundee United Scenario
There is a relatively simple solution to this, however, getting it approved by the other member clubs is unlikely.
In Japan, the J-League does not have this problem, because we have universal pricing.
So, what is universal pricing?
Essentially it means that all the clubs charge the same prices to home and away supporters regardless of the opposition and regardless of the anticipated demand for tickets.
As an example, here is an English link to the ticketing page of a league match between FC Tokyo and Shimizu S-Pulse Scheduled for next week.
The prices range from as low as 3,800 yen (20 pounds) up to 10,100 yen (53.50) for the VIP seating (basically the equivalent of the directors’ box).
These prices are set at the beginning of each season and must be followed by all the teams in the league.
This is particularly good for travelling supporters who can plan out, well ahead of time, exactly how much money they’re going to need to go to each away game.
Additionally, J-League rules mandate that a minimum of 10% of the stadium capacity (for stadiums with a capacity of 30,000 or above) must be made available to away fans.
Generally, the rule is that away fans get the entire stand behind one of the goals.
However, clubs can at their discretion offer more to visiting fans, for example if it’s a derby match or so on. But the price must remain consistent with the limits agreed at the start of the season.
By adopting these two simple policies of universal pricing and a fixed minimum number of tickets for away fans, we could solve two of the biggest problems currently plaguing Scottish football.
Those being the sight of half-empty stadia, and the animosity between clubs and fans when it comes to pricing and allocations.
However, we already know this would never get anywhere with the current SPFL set-up.
They’ve created such a culture where, for clubs like Dundee United Celtic and Rangers fans are there to be fleeced at every opportunity.
Such is this dependence, that the smaller clubs will never give it up willingly.
Also, we know our government are too gutless to actually step in and force the change that is needed.
It’s a shame really, because, it is such a simple thing, yet it would make such a big difference.