West Ham fans are celebrating after the club performed a major U-turn over concessions and tickets following season-long fan protests.
- Hammers News exclusive
Fans have been up in arms over the ticketing situation at West Ham this season.
Supporter groups launched a petition after season ticket prices rose at the London Stadium above the rate of inflation and the club scrapped new concessions.
Hammers fans have been protesting using black balloons at matches.
The balloons have been emblazoned with the words ‘Stop exploiting loyalty’ and ‘Save Our Concessions’.
Liverpool supporters even joined the Hammers in their protests while there have been similar link-ups for the greater good with rivals such as Spurs too.
Tensions have reached boiling point between West Ham fans and the owners since it emerged new concessions were being restricted to bands five and six.
It meant children were being charged full adult price for a new season ticket because there are no more concessions seated together.
West Ham owners speak on major U-turn
As a result, games against the likes of Aston Villa this season for example – which were given Category A status – saw prices set at ridiculously expensive levels, topping out at an eye-watering £105.
Paul Colborne, chair of fan group Hammers United, has been one of many leading voices campaigning for West Ham to scrap the changes.
“As supporters, we’ve always been the heartbeat of the game, yet our loyalty is being disregarded in favour of profit,” Colborne said previously.
“Fans—especially seniors, youths, and those with disabilities—are being priced out of the stadiums they’ve called home for years. This is more than a fight for fair ticket prices; it’s about preserving the soul of football.”
It was claimed by a club insider recently that season ticket renewal deadlines were going to be brought forward two months and prices were likely to rise again as West Ham need the cashflow.
But there was massive news for West Ham ahead of the game against Leicester.
Victory for Hammers fans over concessions and tickets
Because the Hammers have reinstated concessions for all bands and have frozen season ticket prices for the men’s and women’s teams as well as Club London membership for the 2025/26 campaign.
In a statement on the club’s official website, West Ham also confirmed that existing season ticket holders will be once again able to renew their concessionary discount, at the current rate.
Significantly, for the 2025/26 campaign, the club has also expanded the areas where concessionary tickets are available for new season ticket holders, with discounts available in all general admission Bands 1-6.
It means any supporters joining from the season ticket waiting list will be able to access concessionary discounts at the same level as existing supporters for 2025/26.
Supporters have been rejoicing at the news and praising fan groups for fighting their corner.
Now West Ham’s owners have spoken on the major U-turn over concessions and the ticket price freeze.
Hammers News put it to the top spokesman for West Ham’s board that fans were delighted by the change of heart.
And the owners are pleased, saying they have listened.
West Ham owners say they have listened to ‘hurting’ fans
“We respect that supporters are hurting,” the spokesman for West Ham’s owners told Hammers News.
“And so we have done our best to help them by listening and it is great that it has been well received.
“A harmonious club can only be a good thing.”
In the wake of the announcement, Hammers United released a short statement on social media.
“For the record – the West Ham FAB – every single member worked so hard to make this happen,” Hammers United said.
“Club and supporter representatives together. And we did it for every single West Ham fan.
“United We Stand.”
This is a great example of why dialogue between the fans and the club is so important.
There was a sense of injustice about the whole saga. Many will feel there shouldn’t have been a U-turn to make in the first place.
But supporter groups – and anyone who played their part in the campaign – will feel vindicated by today’s victory for the fans.
Manager Graham Potter will undoubtedly be delighted by the news too.
He has been banging the drum about the fans feeling connected to the club and the team since his arrival.
Potter feels it is vital supporters are engaged. Whether his view on the saga has had any bearing only the club will know.
But there is nothing worse for a manager to work against the backdrop of fan unrest towards owners.
So this can only help create a much better atmosphere in and around the club.
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