Wolves fans have been left seething after the club raised season ticket prices, in what is an utterly shameful and tone-deaf decision from the club.
There was some chatter on social media early on Thursday morning as emails were sent out to supporters regarding the price of season tickets for next season. Many were horrified to discover how much they’ll now need to fork out to renew.
Meanwhile, chairman Jeff Shi’s quarterly column with the Express & Star had just been released, and he said the following: “When it comes to setting ticket prices, we benchmark our prices against those of the other 19 Premier League clubs, especially those with similar fanbase sizes, stadium capacities and sporting achievements.
“We do listen to fan feedback, and we understand that price increases are unpopular, but our aim is to ensure our prices are neither significantly higher nor lower than our peers. Our ticketing team has thoroughly researched and compared Wolves with other clubs, and I believe our pricing reflects a fair and reasonable balance based on our current position, past growth and future aspirations.”
Wolves fans of all ages are facing paying much more to watch the team next season, with many slating the decision to raise prices, branding it completely unjustifiable.
And those fans are spot on…
Fosun should be ashamed, Wolves ticket increases are a complete slap in the face to loyal supporters
There has been absolutely fury on social media after Wolves announced increases in the prices of season tickets – and it’s totally understandable.
As E&S journalist Liam Keen reported on X this morning: “Season ticket prices have gone out to Wolves supporters, with big rises across the board. 133% rise for U14s in family enclosure. 17.6% rise for adults in the South Bank.”
He also added that there has been an increase of 176% for under-14 tickets in the Billy Wright upper – an increase from £105 to £290. Abhorrently, Wolves have also raised prices for disabled fans, with Keen reporting one supporter saw their ticket shoot up from £211 to £489 (he says that fan ‘had changed from an under-17 last season to under-21 next season’).
Fosun have somehow seen fit to significantly raise season ticket prices, despite the fact Wolves have been stagnant and lacking ambition for years now.
Apparently, the decision was made in line with other clubs’ prices, which Shi believes ‘reflects a fair and reasonable balance based on our current position, past growth and future aspirations’ (via E&S).
So Shi and ‘the ticketing team’ have decided that because other clubs’ prices are higher, then that essentially permits them to do the same.
There is simply no justification for rises as steep as these. It is incredibly tone-deaf to do this when Wolves fans have shown unwavering support for the team despite having to watch some frankly awful football over the last few years.
Fans have been so loyal even when things haven’t been good, and this is how they are treated?
It is scandalous to hit fans’ pockets in this way when there is a cost of living crisis.
Also, for a lot of people, football is a major, major outlet. It’s an escape. Some people come to a game of football to get away from their problems in life, and now some will no longer be able to do that.
Only recently, Wolves released a powerful video about mental health, featuring the brilliant Reepa. In that video, one fan told Reepa that he goes to the football on his own. He said (8:20) that loves coming to the football because it brings people together.
Many fans will have the exact same feeling about football. It is a special thing. With these horrendously unjust increases, Wolves now risk these amazing fans no longer coming.
Fosun must reconsider, and Wolves fans must keep the pressure on
It is absolutely incredible Wolves have done this at a time when so many people are struggling to get by.
People did expect a small increase, as is the way with everything these days. But many supporters just cannot afford their renewals for next season.
Fosun have shown here that they simply do not care about the fans. They see them as mere customers, and the worst thing is these increases won’t even make the club much more revenue in the grand scheme of things. But they will make it impossible for some supporters to continue attending Molineux and watching the team they love.
Fosun, Shi and everyone involved in this simply cannot bury their heads here. They have got to reconsider their shameful decision.
If they don’t, then they can expect protests and toxicity in the stands will surely return.