September 5 – Spanish club Valencia have announced they will introduce ‘dynamic ticket pricing’ for home matches.
The club’s ticket website says: “One of the new features for the 2024/25 season is the implementation of dynamic prices when purchasing tickets. Following the global trend established for shows, sporting events and entertainment, Valencia CF will use this practice that has the support and technology of LALIGA.
“Tickets will go on sale with a base price, which could increase as the days go by, subject to different parameters such as the occupation of the stadium area and the proximity of the date, among other factors. Buying your tickets early ensures you the best section and the best price. Prices can be consulted online.”
Owned by Peter Lim, Valencia wants to generate more revenue through the new ticketing system. Celta Vigo are also understood to be adopting the practice.
The dynamic pricing in Spanish football follows the controversy surrounding the sale of tickets for next year’s reunion shows by Oasis. Fans were subjected the fluctuating ticket prices, sold for hundreds of pounds within hours of release.
Valencia supporters’ group Libertad VCF told BBC Sport that they “radically” oppose the new ticketing system and called it “a strategy of pure speculation.”
In a statement, the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) said: “With impeccable timing after the Oasis fiasco, voices in football have started to float the idea of infecting football with dynamic pricing.
“Never underestimate the potential for the most greedy owners in football to try and import terrible ideas from other industries to exploit supporter loyalty. Underhand increases will be met with opposition.”
“Match-goers are already mobilising against the recent wave of price rises and attacks on concessions. Any underhand increases will be met with enormous opposition.”
Valencia’s lead could serve as an excuse for top clubs around the continent to experiment with the system in the future, but, earlier this week, UEFA capped the maximum a club can charge away fans in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League from this season and announced that there will be further reductions next year.
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