SPFL away-ticket cap not on agenda as BBC survey details supporter costs

A cap on away-ticket prices is not currently on the Scottish Professional Football League’s agenda, according to BBC Sport Scotland, which asked all 42 member clubs what they charge visiting supporters. The BBC reported that clubs had not discussed a cap recently, despite supporters calling for limits on the cost of following their teams away from home.

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The survey found adult prices were broadly similar within each division, although the amount paid can depend on the opposition, the location of a seat and whether a ticket is purchased in advance. Concession prices varied more widely. Some clubs offered free entry for children accompanying a paying adult, with the BBC noting that its published price ranges did not include those promotions.

Among the examples in the report, an adult Kilmarnock supporter travelling to Ibrox on Saturday faces a £34 ticket, while Hibernian fans visiting Dundee United at Tannadice face a £30 charge. Dundee supporters going to Falkirk and St Mirren fans travelling to Hearts each face £28 tickets. Those figures cover admission rather than the additional costs of travel and food associated with attending an away fixture.

Prices were lower further down the league structure, but the survey also highlighted charges beyond the Premiership. Morton supporters could pay £24 at Arbroath in the Championship, Hamilton followers £21 at Alloa in League 1 and Kelty Hearts fans £18 at Stirling Albion in League 2. The BBC also noted that visiting supporters can attend matches at various SPFL levels for less than £25.

England’s Premier League has operated a £30 away-ticket cap since 2016. According to the BBC report, clubs voted unanimously in March to retain it for two more seasons, and away attendance levels have risen from 82% to 91% since its introduction. Scottish clubs, however, depend more heavily on matchday income because their broadcasting deals are smaller, limiting the usefulness of a direct financial comparison.

The SPFL already prevents clubs from charging away supporters more than home fans for equivalent seating. A wider limit has also attracted political attention: the Scottish Greens called for a £25 cap before May’s Holyrood election. For now, the BBC’s findings leave a distinction between that existing pricing safeguard and a league-wide ceiling, which is not under active consideration.