Newcastle United issue statement after ‘out of touch’ Aston Villa move
Newcastle United Raise Champions League Ticket Prices, But Still Offer More Affordable Rates Than Rivals
Newcastle United have confirmed an increase in Champions League ticket prices for adult season ticket holders, marking the first adjustment since the club last competed in Europe’s elite competition two seasons ago. Despite the rise, the club’s pricing structure remains notably more affordable than that of other Premier League sides, including Aston Villa.
For the upcoming UEFA Champions League group stage matches, general admission tickets for adults have gone up by £5, while seats in premium bar areas have seen a £10 increase. This means adult season ticket holders will now pay a flat rate of £60 for a standard seat across all categories—be it Category 1, 2, 3, or Level 7.
Affordability Measures and Junior Pricing
In an effort to soften the financial blow for fans, Newcastle United have introduced a four-month payment plan, spreading the cost between July and October. The club has also opted to freeze ticket prices for junior supporters, ensuring that younger fans and families are not impacted by the rise.
These decisions have been well received by supporters. The Newcastle United Supporters’ Club praised the club’s approach, stating, “Credit to the club for reasonable prices and also staggering payments for the Champions League tickets to ensure affordability for supporters.”
Comparison with Aston Villa’s Pricing Strategy
To put the pricing into perspective, Newcastle’s £60 rate is significantly cheaper than the lowest-priced equivalent ticket at Aston Villa’s Villa Park during their Champions League campaign last season. Villa charged a minimum of £70 for adult season ticket holders, a move that drew strong criticism from their fanbase. The Aston Villa Supporters’ Trust accused the club of being “out of touch” and “exploiting loyal fans,” claiming that the pricing strategy unfairly penalised their most committed supporters.
Villa responded by emphasizing the financial realities of modern football, stating the club needed to “generate as much revenue as possible through sponsorships, merchandise, and ticket sales to ensure that we can keep the club where it rightfully belongs.”
Club Leadership Addresses Pricing Philosophy
Newcastle CEO Darren Eales has echoed similar sentiments about the financial demands facing top-flight clubs, particularly in the context of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Speaking at a previous press conference, Eales stressed the importance of maintaining a delicate balance between financial ambition and fan accessibility.
“When we talk about PSR and competing with clubs that have far larger revenue streams, we always aim to strike a balance,” Eales explained. “That applies to season ticket prices, cup match tickets, and especially our European fixtures. Interestingly, even though we weren’t in the Champions League this season, we received positive feedback for the pricing structure we had in place during our last campaign.”
He continued, “We want to ensure Eddie Howe has the resources to build a competitive team on the pitch, but we’re also mindful of our place in the country, the economic reality of our supporters, and how we compare to other Premier League clubs and entertainment options.”
This balanced approach comes after the club also announced a 5% increase in season ticket prices for the 2025/26 campaign—something Eales described as “unavoidable” to meet the club’s long-term ambitions.
Additional Cup Competition Pricing and Deadlines
For supporters interested in attending domestic cup competitions, standard adult ticket prices have been set at £30 for Carabao Cup matches and £20 for FA Cup games—rates that remain competitive across the league.
Season ticket holders have until Friday, June 27 to opt into the cup schemes of their choice, including the Champions League group stage, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup fixtures. This enrolment ensures priority access and bundled pricing options for the upcoming season’s knockout matches.