Football supporters are feeling increasingly priced out of the game, with rising ticket prices, FIFA, and VAR controversy topping their list of complaints. Research of 5,000 fans found that 61% believe the sport has lost its way, while 88% feel ordinary supporters are being priced out.
Cost of following football
The study, commissioned by OLBG to celebrate the launch of the Marc White Fixes Football show, revealed that frustrations stem largely from escalating costs. This includes ticket prices, the number of subscriptions required to watch games, and the Champions League not being free-to-air.
Fans also complained about the number of tops released by teams each season, with some disliking colourful football boots.
Frustration with VAR and governing bodies
When asked what they would change if in charge, many fans said they would enforce cheaper tickets. Other priorities included scrapping VAR, making more matches free-to-air, and reducing the influence of bodies like FIFA.
Only 18% said they would keep VAR as it is, with the biggest issues being the time it takes, the stop-start nature of the game, and it creating more debate than it solves. Fans would advocate for more consistency, faster decisions, and a time limit for reviews.
Half-time shows unpopular
Respondents also expressed dissatisfaction with half-time shows. Only a quarter enjoyed this year's World Cup Final performance, while 72% reacted negatively to introducing such shows more frequently, with 31% calling it "a terrible idea".
Marc White, Dorking Wanderers founder and manager, said: "The feeling that fans are being priced out of football really stands out from the study. Following your club has become more expensive than ever, and supporters are noticing it. Football doesn't exist without fans, so it's important the game doesn't lose sight of that."
White added: "Fans are the lifeblood of the game, but many feel football is drifting further away from the people who made it what it is. People still love football, they just want decisions to be made with supporters at the heart of them."
Top 20 football gripes
The top 20 biggest football gripes include rising ticket prices, too much focus on money, players diving, VAR, FIFA, inconsistent refereeing, time-wasting, too much football behind paid subscriptions, commercialisation, the Champions League not being free-to-air, Super Bowl-style half-time shows, expensive replica shirts, too many kits, modern tactical football, Premier League decision-making, UEFA, fixture congestion, lack of atmosphere, excessive merchandise, and matches being too physical.
