Trust Raises Concerns Over Away Ticket Fees
As part of its role within the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), Wolves 1877 Supporters’ Trust is collating information on away ticket prices across the Championship.
It has long been the view of many supporters that an away ticket price cap should be introduced in the Championship, similar to the cap that operates in the Premier League.
Through preparing the information for the FSA survey on away ticket pricing, it has been identified that Wolves supporters purchasing away match tickets are currently subject to a 50 pence administration fee per ticket, together with a £1.00 transaction fee – potentially in conflict with EFL rules.
As Wolves supporters will be aware, home match tickets are not subject to administration or transaction fees.
This is particularly relevant because our understanding is that the EFL regulations governing ticketing charges differ from those applicable in the Premier League.
What do the EFL regulations say?
Regulation 35.7.4 of the EFL Regulations states:
“The Away Club may charge a booking fee or transaction charge to the customer providing this is exactly the same in every respect as that which it charges for tickets to its own home matches.”
In carrying out our research, we have also identified an article published by Wolves at the time the club moved to Ticketmaster in 2023:
https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/club/20230706-move-to-ticketmaster-sport-explained/
Of particular relevance is the following statement:
“From a fan point of view, there should be little noticeable differences. We still don’t charge booking or admin fees on home tickets or season tickets. Fees will apply on away match tickets because the revenue isn’t ours – we incur charges through selling and posting – but they will remain unchanged. Fans will still buy from a dedicated Wolves site – it will sell tickets to Wolves fans only.”
Our understanding is that Regulation 35.7.3 of the EFL Regulations also applies. It states:
“For League matches only, the Away Club shall be entitled to a commission representing 5% of the aggregate sales (exclusive of VAT) of tickets sold on behalf of the Home Club, unless otherwise agreed between the Clubs.”
We therefore understand that the EFL regulations provide the Away Club with a 5% commission on away ticket sales, while Regulation 35.7.4 separately permits a booking fee or transaction charge only where the Away Club charges exactly the same fee for tickets to its own home matches.
Given that Wolves do not charge booking or administration fees on home match tickets, we believe the current charging of a 50 pence administration fee and £1.00 transaction fee on away tickets requires clarification in light of Regulation 35.7.4.
Trust raises the issue with the club:
We have raised this concern with the club, which has responded:
“Over the past several weeks, the Club has been engaged in discussions with the EFL regarding a number of the regulations set out within Section 35.7. These conversations remain ongoing, and we are hopeful of reaching a conclusion in the near future.
Once the discussions have been finalised, we will communicate any resulting changes to our policies or processes as appropriate.”
Trust Board Member Neil Dady said:
“It’s in the interests of fans of all clubs that we do everything we can to keep ticket prices down.
The wording of Regulation 35.7.4 appears clear in respect of the circumstances in which a booking fee or transaction charge can be applied. We are therefore concerned that fees are currently being charged on away tickets.
“We hope the club’s discussions with the EFL will provide clarity for supporters and, if necessary, result in refunds where charges have been made inappropriately.
“Wolves fans are rightly concerned about the escalating cost of following the club away in the Championship. The Trust remains committed to campaigning for an away ticket price cap in the Championship and will continue to scrutinise ticketing arrangements where we believe supporters may be facing unnecessary or disproportionate costs.”