Football / Bristol City
City fans to boycott £39 opening game
The board of the Bristol City Supporters Club and Trust (BSCT) will boycott the first game of the season over “astronomical” ticket prices.
The season opener, which is away at Sheffield Wednesday on August 8, will cost City fans £39 a ticket, while Reading fans, who visit Hillsborough only 11 days later, will be charged just £25.
The difference is due to Wednesday’s controversial new ticket categorization, which sees ticket prices set on the merit of each game.
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There are eight price categories in total, with prices ranging from £20 for category G games, to £52 for category A* games.
The match, which sees the Robins returning to the Championship as League One champions after a two-year absence, has been designated as a category B game.
The board have not called for a full boycott, but have collectively chosen not to attend the game as “a matter of principle”.
In a statement released on Thursday, BCSCT called it “a step too far”, stating that “on top of travel and everything else an away day holds, it is just too expensive.”
Bristol24/7 contacted Sheffield Wednesday, who refused to comment on the statement.
However, in a statement last week, Owls chairman Dejphon Chansiri defended the price changes, which include a £20 increase on the most expensive match day ticket, arguing that the changes are necessary in achieving the clubs ultimate aim of returning to the top flight of English football.
In comparison, tickets for City’s home games at Ashton Gate begin at £25 for silver category games, and £30 for the more sought-after gold category games.
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