Fans

'Away fans create tension, passion and the show'

8 Oct 2015
West Ham players applaud their fans after a win against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium

The PL Away Supporters' Initiative contributed to a 6% increase in away attendance last season

The atmosphere at its stadiums is a key part of the attraction of the Premier League and that is in large part a result of the visiting fans who attend the matches.

"One of our unique selling points is the away attendance because it creates the tension, the passion, the show," says Richard Scudamore, the Executive Chairman of the Premier League.

"The most committed of all supporters is the travelling fan.

"We and the clubs recognise the sacrifices this group makes as well as the undoubted positive impact they have on the atmosphere generated.

"That is why the clubs set up and funded the Away Supporters' Initiative, where each club set aside a minimum of £200,000 per season to fund things like free travel, reduced ticket prices or better in-stadium facilities and experience.

"It has been a huge success with away attendance rising 6% last season, and the clubs committing to grow and extend the initiative for the next three seasons at least."

Below are some examples of what have been offered by clubs since the initiative started in 2013/14.

AFC Bournemouth: Fans travelling to Swansea City on 21 November will pay £20, instead of £35, while concessions enjoy a £10 discount.

Arsenal: Away fans were offered a £4 discount on every away ticket.

Arsenal fans were offered a £4 discount on every away ticket
Arsenal fans were offered a £4 discount on every away ticket

Aston Villa: Five away matches were subsidised by £5 and free coach travel was offered for five matches.

Chelsea: The club provided travel to all away matches outside London at a flat rate of £10. Tickets for three away matches were also subsidised by £10.

Crystal Palace: Free coach travel to three matches were provided by Palace last season.

Everton: Free coach travel and free breakfasts were enjoyed by 5,000 Evertonians through the club’s “Blues on Tour”

Leicester City: Away fans at various away fixtures received discounts to tickets of up to £10 and official coach travel was subsidised by £10 per travelling fan for every away match.

Liverpool: On average, fans received reductions of £4 on average for every away ticket.

Manchester City: Free coach travel was provided to Crystal Palace, while tickets at Arsenal and Chelsea were half-price last season.

Manchester United: Last season the club contributed £5 to all away tickets.

Newcastle United: The club introduced reciprocal pricing in 2013/14 and in the two seasons 10 deals have been struck.

Norwich City: In 2013/14 match tickets were reduced to half price for six matches, while for four matches free coach travel was offered. This season the price of two away trips for Norwich fans has been reduced.

Southampton: Fans travelling to Selhurst Park on Boxing Day 2014 were offered travel for £5, as well as lunch and a Santa hat.

Stoke City: The club are in their third season of offering free coach travel to all away league matches.

Sunderland: Discounted five away match tickets during the 2014/15 season by £10 per adult.

Watford fans will be offered £1 coach travel for two away matches in 2015/16
Watford fans will be offered £1 coach travel for two away matches in 2015/16

Swansea City: In 2015, Swansea introduced a “True to 22” away fan initiative, meaning no fan has to pay more than £22 for an away fixture.

Tottenham Hotspur: Offered flights to fans for the match at Newcastle. Priced at £2.51.

Watford: For two of their away fixtures this season, Watford have offered £1 coach travel and have struck two reciprocal ticket deals with West Bromwich Albion (£20) and Newcastle United (£25).

West Bromwich Albion: A reciprocal deal was reached with Newcastle with tickets costing £15 (£5 concessions). West Brom also offer free travel in up to 40 coaches to one fixture per season.

West Ham United: The club have confirmed free coach travel for three fixtures this season for away fans.

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