Latest Nottingham Forest news as fans react to Reds’ announcement of 2024/25 season card prices at the City Ground.
The “very substantial” price hikes Nottingham Forest announced for the 2024–2025 season cards have drawn criticism.
Tuesday was the club’s announcement of the season card fees. News of the introduction of safe standing zones at the City Ground quickly followed. According to Forest, their season tickets are still among the “most affordable” in the Premier League.
The price of season cards has, however, increased significantly for many supporters. Furthermore, the Reds still have two games left to play beyond the May 10 deadline for renewals, and their place in the top division may still be in jeopardy.
“NFST notes the announcement by the club of very substantial price increases in season card prices for all sections of the City Ground,” said a statement from the Nottingham Forest Supporters’ Trust (NFST). We sincerely apologise for the magnitude of these hikes as well as the improper early consultation of the fan organisations that comprise the new Fan Advisory Board (FAB).
“We aim to keep our Season Cards among the most affordable in the League,” stated Chairman Tom Cartledge. Simultaneously, the club must maintain its financial growth in order to be competitive, especially considering the upcoming squad cost ratio regulations that will curb expenditure as a percentage of club earnings.
According to Forest, they have “streamlined the pricing structure.”But many fans will be greatly affected by the revisions, not least because of the modification to the age categories.
The team announced on social media on Tuesday night that they had surpassed their record for season card renewals in “just seven hours,” with renewals reportedly up 50% from the same time the previous year. Additionally, they stated: “Since our inception, over 11,000 people have joined our Official Season Card Waiting List. An amazing illustration of the enormous desire to follow Forest. I’m grateful.
With how strongly fans feel, the messages have come under fire for “not reading the room.” Similarly, it has been said that the announcement of safe standing arrangements is a “deflection strategy.”
“The Trust conducted an extensive exercise to gather opinion from members and other fans regarding potential price rises,” the statement from the Trust continued. At the most recent FAB meeting, the club was presented with these viewpoints, and the general agreement was that only small hikes that kept pace with inflation would be acceptable. In actuality, typical price increases are completely out of proportion to the rate of inflation that is now in place.
“While it is acknowledged that Forest’s season card prices had been lower than those of other Premier League teams, such drastic increases in the course of a single season, coupled with the ongoing cost of living crisis, will significantly affect a large number of devoted supporters and likely prevent many from renewing—a worry expressed by numerous supporters to the Trust. The percentage increases for various ground areas show no consistency, and there is no clear logic or explanation provided for this decision that seems to be made at random.
“The substantial restriction on youth pricing concessions will result in enormous increases for that segment of our support that ought to be developed into our club’s future fan base. We worry that raising the age limit for senior concessions from 65 to 66 could signal the beginning of such limitations in the future and possibly drive away a segment of devoted, long-term supporters.
In the event that the team is demoted to the Championship, there is no clause allowing for a reduction in price rises.The club has declared that they want to maintain season card prices among the lowest in the league; nevertheless, the Championship would completely undermine this stated goal.
“The club explains these increases as a prelude to the new sustainability regulations centred on Squad Cost Ratio, which are expected to take effect in the 2025–2026 season. However, the comparatively small effect of this one increase—roughly £2 million—raises doubts that additional increases of this kind might be implemented in the future.
“We vehemently disagree with the message’s insinuation that over 10,000 fans are lining up to purchase season passes; this is likely to incite resentment and indignation in those who are now unable to renew. Many supporters see the timing of what would normally be the much-welcome news of the introduction of safe-standing as an effort at a deflection tactic.
“NFST is adamantly against these price hikes, since they will negatively affect every fan who attends a game. We think that a big part of the amazing success over the past several seasons has been the amazing support from our fans. There is no way to honour that contribution like this.
The average price increase for forest season cards is 24 percent. Tickets for Zone 1, which is close to the halfway point, cost £190 for children and £850 for adults. The lowest seats cost £190 for children and £550 for adults and are located in Zone 4, in the corners of three stands. The most costly adult season ticket this year is £660, which gets you a seat in the Brian Clough Stand. The lowest is £460, £90 cheaper than the price for the upcoming season.
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