Welcome to the Premier League... QPR hike up ticket prices
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Welcome to the Premier League... QPR hike up ticket prices by a whopping 40 per cent!
Sky high: Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal is part of the QPR hierachy
Queens Park Rangers have hit their fans in the pocket after promotion to the Barclays Premier League.
The west London club have raised season tickets prices by an eye-watering 40 PER CENT after returning to the top-flight. The lowest adult season ticket is now £549.
The cheapest tickets will be £47 - yet with four fewer home games in the Premier League compared to the Championship, the increase is even more in real terms.
Current holders - many of whom will have been hit by the tough economic climate - have been told they have to make up their minds over whether to renew by the end of June.
QPR released the new prices on the website with the accompanying message: 'The 2010/11 npower Championship will live long in the memory of QPR supporters, but next season promises to be even more special, as the R's return to the Promised Land of the Premier League following a 15-year exile.
'Neil Warnock's men will lock horns with some of the biggest and best football Clubs in the World at Loftus Road when the season kicks off in mid- August - and you won't want to miss a kick!
'Global superstars including Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Cesc Fabregas and Steven Gerrard will all strut their stuff in W12 next season, offering Rangers supporters the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the greatest players ever to grace the beautiful game.'
On the up: QPR marched to the Championship title this season
Fans have reacted angrily after learning they will be charged up to £72 to watch their team in the Premier League, accusing owners Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal of cashing in on the club's return.
The price rises were widely predicted but have still been met with dismay by many Rangers fans.
'It's an absolute disgrace and, yet again, underlines the total contempt the owners of QPR have for the fans,' said Paul Finney of the Independent R's website.
'Flavio Briatore's dream is a 'boutique' club, which has an exclusive feel to it and is the place for wealthy people to be seen.
Stars of the show: Manager Neil Warnock with Alejandro Faurlin (left) and Adel Taarabt
'Not only is that a slap in the face of QPR supporters, it is not in the long-term interests of a club that has two other Premier League clubs (Chelsea and Fulham) on its doorstep.'
QPR's season ticket price changes will see the most expensive band - platinum - increasing from £699 to £999.
The club do offer significant discounts for juniors, which start at just £49 for under eights, with senior citizens able to buy a season ticket for £319. Standard bronze tickets at Loftus Road have been set at £549.