Chelsea announce ticket price hike; £82 for one game
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Did you say £82 for one game? Chelsea announce ticket price hike in the week their season crumbles
Cough up: Chelsea have increased the price of their tickets for 2011-12
Chelsea have chosen the week they crashed out of Europe to announce inflated ticket prices for next season.
With the club's current campaign destined to end without a trophy, Chelsea fans have been told they will have to pay more to watch their team in 2011-2012.
Barclays Premier League matches against Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will now be classed as 'AA' games, with prices rising from £70 to £82 for the best seats in the West Upper stand.
Prices for category A and B league matches will remain the same, but season ticket costs have risen to incorporate the new band of top matches.
A seat in the East Family Upper cost £550 this season, but has now risen to £595, with a season ticket in the West Upper increasing by £40 to £1,250.
Competitive: Gourlay justified the rise
FA Cup matches will also increase from £25.50 to £30, subject to the agreement of the opposition club.
Chief executive Ron Gourlay said: 'We believe the new ticket prices strike the right balance between the commercial needs of the club and value for money for our fans.
'We have taken on board the supporters' wishes to help younger fans by extending our concessions from under 16s to under 17s and we fully intend to increase by a further year in the following season.
'Our prices are competitive when set against our rivals and our season tickets in particular represent a significant saving compared to the equivalent cost of purchasing matchday tickets.'
Tickets for matches will go on sale 42 days in advance instead of the current 28 days.