Football: League warns Wembley over ticket prices
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE has warned that it may be forced to take its five major finals away from the rebuilt Wembley Stadium.
The League fears supporters will be priced out of the market for tickets by Wembley as the new national stadium attempts to finance its huge rebuilding costs. Peter Middleton, the chairman of the Football League, insisted yesterday that it would not be held to ransom by Wembley National Stadium Limited.
Talks between the two bodies are at an advanced stage, and Middleton hopes a deal will not be ruined by the demands of Wembley, whose rebuilding costs have been estimated at anything between pounds 350m to pounds 475m. "My biggest fear is that Wembley may price fans out of the market over the next 10 years," said Middleton. "Our fans are not overflowing with money, and we have to make sure they can afford to get into matches at the new stadium.
"We have every right to make a proper business decision for the Football League as to where it holds its events. We are aware of the emotional attachment for the fans and we are in good-faith negotiations with Wembley - but we shall not be held to ransom.
"Our concern is over admission prices when Wembley is servicing a debt of at least pounds 350m and we want guarantees about the level of entry prices. If you have one of the lower division clubs in a play-off final and you are asking pounds 50 a ticket then not many fans may be able to afford to turn up."
The League holds five major football finals at Wembley each year - the Worthington Cup, the three divisional play-offs and the Auto Windscreens Shield. "I hope we can conclude a deal - otherwise Wembley National Stadium Limited will be losing some sell-out occasions," Middleton said.
While Wembley is closed for rebuilding, the League will move its main events to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and Middleton hinted that would become permanent if nothing is agreed with Wembley. Middleton also warned that if Wembley was redesigned to also house facilities for athletics events it would cast doubt on the major football events, including the FA Cup final.
He explained: "If Wembley is to become an athletics stadium too and bids to host the 2005 World Championships, it will take six months to convert the stadium. How then can it hold the cup finals in April and May and be converted in time for athletics in August or September?"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments