Nottingham Forest fans will be 'priced out' of watching club by new season ticket costs

Nottingham Forest fans fear many will be "priced out" of watching the club next season as the cost of season tickets reaches as high as £850. One of the city's MPs says the price rise is significantly above inflation and a long-standing supporter says he has considered not renewing his season ticket.

The Premier League club made the announcement on Tuesday (April 16) confirming that the City Ground will now be split into four pricing zones. The new price structure means the most expensive adult season card for 2024/25 is £850, with the cheapest being £550.

That compares to the most expensive adult season card being £660 for the ongoing 2023/24 season and the cheapest being £465. It comes as the prospect of Forest being relegated to the Championship remains a real danger and one which many fans say the latest price hikes do not take into account.

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Tom Cartledge, Nottingham Forest's Chairman, said: "We aspire to keep our season cards amongst the most affordable in the league. At the same time, it is imperative that the club continues to grow financially in order to remain competitive, particularly in light of the forthcoming squad cost ratio rules, which will cap spending as a percentage of club revenues."

The price rises have been criticised by many fans, with the Nottingham Forest Supporters' Trust issuing a statement calling them "extreme." The trust said: "[The price hikes] will massively impact a large number of loyal fans and undoubtedly mean that many will now be priced out of renewing – a concern shared with the trust by many supporters

"There is no provision for reduced price increases should the club suffer relegation to the Championship. The club have stated that the intention is to keep the season card pricing amongst the most affordable in the league, this claimed ambition would not be met in the Championship, quite the opposite.

"NFST strongly opposes these price increases which will have a negative impact on all match-going fans. We believe that our fans' incredible support has been a key factor in the remarkable success over recent season. This is no way to reward that contribution."

Elliott Stanley, a season card holder for 32 years and the former chair of the supporters' trust, said: "I appreciate that we're one of the most affordable in the league, but we're also, by comparison, quite a poor city and region. That's got to be considered when we're in a league dominated by London clubs.

"This argument that the increases will allow us to compete is nonsense. Our squad is worth £350 million and Chelsea's is worth over £1 billion. This isn't even going to bridge a tiny bit of that gap.

"My season card is going from £640 to £700 and I'm very lucky that I'll be able to afford it but I know a lot of people will struggle. I do look at the price going up and wonder if I really want to keep paying to watch us finish 12th.

"The way the rules are structured means that's the best we're going to get and the doors are closed on that top end of the Premier League. We've allowed the billionaires to take over and it's too late for an independent regulator to take us back."

Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East and a Forest fan, said: "I share Forest fans' disappointment at the sharp jump in season card pricing. With the average price increase significantly above inflation and many in our city under pressure from the cost of living crisis, there is a real danger that many local supporters will be priced out.

"Forest is nothing without the atmosphere and vibrancy that fans bring. It's a club that is proudly rooted in our local community, and every effort should be made to maintain this by keeping season card prices as affordable as possible." Announcing the price increase, Nottingham Forest added: "With over 10,000 and growing on our newly launched Official Season Card Waiting List, our fanbase is as thriving as ever and a Season Card is the most cost-effective way you can guarantee being at every Nottingham Forest game for the 2024/25 season."