Arsenal supporters have voiced their discontent regarding the club's decision to increase season ticket prices and introduce a new ticket category labeled "A+", accusing the Gunners of adopting a model aimed at extracting more money from fans.
On Tuesday, Arsenal revealed a 3.9 percent increase in season ticket prices while announcing the launch of the A+ category for general admission tickets for the 2026/27 season.
This new tier will rank above the current A, B, and C categories and will be applicable to prestigious Champions League matches, like potential quarter- finals and semi-finals, with ticket prices ranging from £90 to £168—marking the highest general pricing among Premier League teams.
In response to this announcement, the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST) stated:
"We are fundamentally opposed to Arsenal's plan for a new A+ ticket category starting in the 2026/27 season. This places Arsenal at the top of a table we have no desire to win, raising concerns about the club's commitment to accompanying its supporters on their journey."
The trust highlighted that the club had initially indicated that A+ tickets would only apply to significant Champions League knockout matches. However, they cautioned that the additional income from broadcasting rights, commercial deals, and ticket sales already diminishes the necessity to impose extra charges on fans.
AST reminded the club that as Arsenal progresses through the Champions League stages, substantial revenue is generated from broadcasting rights and ticket sales, eliminating the need for further price hikes. They also noted that UEFA has recently announced significant increases in future broadcasting revenues.
Arsenal later confirmed that the A+ category would be limited to a maximum of two matches in the 2026/27 season, specifically aimed at potential Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals, and committed not to extend this pricing model for at least two seasons.
“They reiterated that the A+ tier would only apply to a maximum of two games during the 2026/27 season. They also acknowledged our request to avoid extending this pricing structure in future seasons, assuring us that this would not happen for at least two seasons. This temporary assurance provides some comfort, but we remain concerned about price escalation in future seasons.
“This pricing structure appears to emulate the American/FIFA model of continually extracting more from fans, which is notable considering the recent changes in Arsenal’s Boardroom following three US-centric appointments in September 2025.
“We will persist in advocating for price restraint and fairness in future discussions with the new Board and Executive, emphasizing the significant impact pricing has on our loyal fanbase."
Additionally, the AST critiqued the club’s decision to raise season ticket prices amid increasing revenues:
"We express our disappointment that the Football Supporters’ Association's (FSA) initiative, which calls for a freeze on ticket prices across all Premier League clubs, has not been acknowledged.
"Neither the Premier League nor Arsenal has genuinely engaged with the notion that a price freeze at all clubs could help alleviate the escalating cost of attending matches. Despite the football sector benefiting from surging broadcast and commercial revenues, it is time to stop heavily burdening match- going supporters."
Arsenal recently reported a significant increase in total revenue for the previous season, totaling £691 million, an increase of 10 percent, along with a 19 percent rise in ticket income, amounting to £154 million.
“It frustrates fans to witness clubs and leagues taking minimal action against the rising costs of football, with ticket prices consistently on the rise. The AST has led efforts through partnerships with the FSA and Football Supporters Europe (FSE) to advocate for regulation concerning agents' fees.
"However, football authorities and clubs appear unable to collaboratively tackle this issue. We now request both Arsenal and the Premier League to clarify their reasons for disregarding the compelling case for a price freeze presented by the 'Protect the Fans, Protect the Game' campaign, which received overwhelming support from fans, including all members of the Arsenal Advisory Board (AAB)."
In their defense, Arsenal justified the price hike as essential for maintaining financial sustainability and investing in both the squad and infrastructure:
"While we are progressing towards our goal of winning major trophies, we must work on achieving financial sustainability. Our investments depend on the revenue we generate amidst rising costs. Considering this backdrop, we have reviewed our season ticket pricing for the upcoming season."
Furthermore, the club announced plans to implement safe standing at the Emirates Stadium over the next two seasons, beginning with the lower tier of the Clock End in the 2026/27 season and extending to the North Bank in the 2027/28 season.
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