Price cap in the stadium: socialism in football capitalism?

PR bluff or real fan offensive? The football union UEFA has lowered the ticket price cap for away fans in the European Cup. But will this win back the curve for the fans?

There was great joy when Aston Villa qualified for the Champions League for the first time. The players sprayed champagne and the corks popped in the royal palace. Heir to the throne William, a staunch fan of the club since his school days and a regular guest in the stands in his role as President of the Football Association (FA), congratulated coach Unai Emery in a congratulatory letter on the Royals’ official X-account: “We are Champions League.”

In the working-class city of Birmingham, in whose district Aston is located, they have not seen international football since the 1980s. In 1982 they won the European Cup. Since then, things have gone downhill all around. Car factories are closed, and the city even filed for bankruptcy in 2023. Money is lacking everywhere, and now they are returning to Europe’s biggest stage after more than 40 years. Of course, that comes at a price. The euphoria was followed by a collective disillusionment when the club announced the ticket prices for home games in the premier class: 85 pounds (around 100 euros) is the cheapest ticket for adults. A lot of money for workers, for whom the season ticket for 19 home games (760 euros, cheapest category) already hits deep in their wallets.

Scandalous prices