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West Ham’s rivals Chelsea have frozen season ticket prices as a Hammers fan group demands action over their own.

While some other clubs have frozen season ticket prices against the backdrop of the cost of living crisis, West Ham have announced rises next term.

Season ticket prices for West Ham next term have gone up by between four to eight per cent. Only Under 18s tickets have remained unchanged.

It comes against the backdrop of a cost of living crisis and Premier League TV rights deals surpassing £10bn.

The latest overseas TV rights deal for the Prem – announced last year – came in at a mammoth £5.3bn.

It saw overseas rights surpass domestic in value for the first time ever bringing the total package over three seasons – including this one – to more than £10bn.

Hammers price hike despite record TV rights income and cost of living crisis

That meant a £500m boost for West Ham – should the Hammers remain in the top flight during that time – and their Prem rivals.

Billionaire co-owner Daniel Kretinsky has been spending millions on business investments and other ventures. And he even spent £37m on a French castle.

West Ham have splashed out £185m in the two transfer windows this season. And the club are said to have offered star man Declan Rice a contract worth over £80m.

But while the likes of Leicester have frozen prices for next season, West Ham fans are set to feel the pinch. And they will have to – on average – fork out around four to eight per cent extra to renew.

Now West Ham’s rivals Chelsea have frozen season ticket prices while a Hammers fan group demands action.

Chelsea have announced a freeze on season ticket prices for the 12th consecutive year as the Blues’ new owners ‘greatly appreciate’ fan support amid their horror season.

West Ham’s rivals Chelsea freeze season ticket prices as Hammers fan group demands action

It comes in the same week West Ham fan group Hammers United made a plea to the club to revisit the price hikes.

“To the dismay of loyal West Ham fans, the Club recently announced that the cost of a 23/24 Season Ticket will increase by up to 8%,” Hammers United state.

“As if that were not bad enough, the Club has decided to increase the age at which the senior season ticket concession applies – up from 65 to 66. All of this comes against the backdrop of the worst economic crisis in 50 years which has seen enormous pressure piled onto the personal finances of everyone.

“I’m sure it will come as no surprise to you to hear that we have been inundated with complaints from our members, and our members’ feelings are not unique – they are replicated across the wider West Ham fan base.

‘Just imagine how much they could put the prices up next time and the time after!’

“Hammers United’s job is to represent our members and our committee decided that the best way forward was to launch a petition calling on the Club to scrap the senior concession age increase and to review the price increase of season tickets at all levels.

“The initial response was slow and the Club must have been rubbing their hands with glee. If this years’ price increases go through without a whimper from the fans then just imagine how much they could put the prices up next time and the time after! And all the other ongoing issues like stewarding, ticketing, customer service, if the fans are apathetic and effectively resigned to accept whatever is thrown at them ,then happy days for the Club!”

In West Ham’s defence the club do also offer some of the cheapest season tickets in the Premier League such as the £99 under 18s deals in Band 5 and 6.

But some fans will also point out that West Ham’s stadium running costs are negligible given the ‘deal of the century’ they have with the LLDC to rent the London Stadium. Especially compared to other clubs.

Chelsea’s move will only increase pressure on the club to respond to fan demands.

Hammers United is running a petition calling for West Ham to lower prices.

Every West Ham season ticket renewal price for the 2023/24 campaign revealed for all bands