Reading fans have taken to social media to react to the news that season ticket prices have increased despite relegation to League One.
Albeit a small increase, roughly £25 for the season, many supporters feel frustrated that they will be paying more for what will be a lower standard of football.
For instance, a renewal price for the Eamonn Dolan Stand this season was £325, while this is £350 for the coming year.
Similarly, the Lower West and Sir John Madejski Stand was £375 and is now up to £400.
Our Season Tickets for 2023-24 are on sale now! 🏟
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) May 15, 2023
And we have details of how you can immediately earn cash back off your renewal price, an exclusive offer to those early birds who renew soon and we also give some context to our pricing structure for 2023-24. 📰#BeThere 💙
Using a statement, the club have backed up their decision to increase prices for the first time in over a decade: "Our prices have been predominantly frozen for such a long period of time, that despite an incremental increase, the figures set for 2023-24 are directly comparable to the clubs we will be competing against in League One next season!
"While our prices remain extremely competitive again, we recognise a very marginal price increase has been applied across all four stands. But let’s put that in context. Since 2010, most Season Ticket prices at Reading Football Club have been frozen or, in some areas of the stadium, even reduced.
"As an example, an adult purchasing a Season Ticket in the East Stand in 2010-11 would have paid £375 to renew, the same price tag when they renewed for our Premier League campaign in 2012-13 and the same renewal price of a Season Ticket last season. No change across more than a decade of ups and downs.
"Crucially, in the time that we have not applied any price rise to that seat, the operational cost of running a matchday at the Select Car Leasing Stadium safely and efficiently has risen by approximately 72 per cent. These costs are forecast to increase again for 2023-24 and for the club to be more commercially and operationally sustainable, we must ultimately make slight increases to our ticket prices.
"When the stadium first opened - 25 years ago this August - a renewing Adult in the East Stand paid £225 to watch us lock horns with League One in RG2. Inflation alone, according the Retail Price Index, would price the same product at £506 in 2023. Next season’s adult Season Ticket in the East Stand will cost £400.
"We have done our very best to minimise the increase in price, as we recognise cost of living is also having a major impact on our supporters and within our community. The incremental rises applied amount to just £25 for those aged 18 and over and £10 for those aged 17 and under. That is little more than £1 per home game for adults and just 43p per match for the younger age categories!"
The club have put on offers to encourage early take up, with anyone renewing before June 2 offered to attend an open training session for the coming season.
Take a look at the views of fans below.
Won't impact my decision - i'll decide when a manager is appointed 😁
— PEDRO‼️ (@PictonPedro) May 15, 2023
Its still competitive pricing. The kids ticket pricing is also fantastic value.
I think most people will feel that our season tickets are incredibly cheap compared to other teams and will begrudgingly accept it. I don’t think it’s the rise that will put people off, it’s whether they want to fork out 400 in total
— Matthew Hamilton (@Hammo76) May 15, 2023
I think it is individual but our prices are still pretty good. The lack of manager and communication is going to put people off though unfortunately
— Ben (@BenRFC10) May 15, 2023
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