FULHAM have defended the eye-watering prices for tickets in their new stand – because they have ‘business class’ fans.
Celebrity Fulham fan Richard Osman yesterday hosted the official launch of the £100 million Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage, which sits on the banks of the Thames.
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Many fans have expressed outrage about the regular ticket prices for Premier League games in the new stand which cost upwards of £120.
However, they pale into insignificance compared to the corporate season tickets prices which range between £3,250 and £10,000 plus VAT, taking it to the region of £12,000.
Chief executive Alistair Mackintosh said: “When I first spoke to the Fulham Disabled Supporters Association they gave me some advice and that was that Fulham is the sort of club that can have a business class or first class and have fans that turn left on a plane.
“They said to me, that is for some people but the rest of us want a premium experience elsewhere.
“They may want to have this experience for the odd game then may want to return to their seats.
“I feel stretching pricing means there is something for everyone at Craven Cottage. But the attention is on the top-end pricing as it is more interesting to report than the bottom end, but our game against Villa is sold out.
“It shows there is a lot of demand for these tickets and if we had a bigger stand it would be nice but we are selling out everything we have.”
The project took almost six years to complete and had to overcome several logistical obstacles including building contractors Buckingham going into administration midway through the build.
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The stand will be fully open for business in December and features a top-deck swimming pool, a Michelin-starred restaurant and various swanky bars and dining areas.
It will also increase the capacity at Craven Cottage to just under 30,000.
Fulham also plan to build a pier adjacent to the new stand, allowing fans to access the Cottage by boat. But Mackintosh played down rumours its construction would affect the Varsity Boat Race which passes nearby Putney Bridge.
He said: “There has been quite a bit of fake news about an 86-metre pier that would stop the boat race and that has never been in the plan.
“We are working with the boat race company because they will use this as one of their key venues and are discussing working with them rather than stopping them.
“We want people to travel here in a green and accessible way by boat.”
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