Todd Boehly sent Stamford Bridge warning as Chelsea Supporters’ Trust pen letter over 2023/24 ticket prices

Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have been warned by the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) over the possibility of raising ticket prices for the 2023/24 campaign.

Next season will be the Chelsea owners’ second season at Stamford Bridge after their takeover of the Blues in May 2022. After a planned raise prior to their arrival, it was scrapped for the 2022/23 campaign as they looked to get relations with the supporters off to a good start.

It’s been a challenging season for Chelsea on the pitch; knocked out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in the early rounds, while Graham Potter’s side still find themselves in the Champions League, at the quarter-final stage, but are down in 10th in the Premier League.

Plans for next season are already well underway and supporters will soon learn their fate over ticket prices to watch their side at Stamford Bridge.

The CST has issued a letter to the owners, which has been acknowledged and now awaits a response, over ticket pricing plans and warned the club against any changes to the current pricing structure.

“The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust opposes all increases to ticket prices at Stamford
Bridge,” the letter read.

The current cost of living crisis was the major point in ensuring fans aren’t priced out of going to watch Chelsea on a fortnightly basis at Stamford Bridge, with the CST urging the club not to raise prices just because of their plan to increase the club’s yearly revenue to £1 billion.

“For many, CFC is not a ‘day out’, but rather a way of life and something that is
ingrained within their DNA,” it added in the open letter. “Rising ticket prices and the fall in real disposable income for everyone has the capability of adversely impacting many and we are
deeply concerned that this will have disastrous long-term effects.”

Chelsea’s current position in the Premier League was also used as a factor to ensure no toxicity surfaced following the poor form this season, which may see them not qualify for next season’s Champions League.

“The men’s 1st team is currently having one of the worst seasons since the 1990s. We currently sit 10th in the Premier League and are 11 points off 4th place. This is despite enormous investment in players, management, and additional personnel. We strongly urge the board to read the sentiment of supporters. The current disconnect between the team and supporters would only be amplified by increased prices – this could lead to irreversible toxicity.”

The letter to Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital and the rest of the decision makers at Chelsea concluded: “Any rise in ticket prices will have an enormous impact on matchgoing supporters
and we strongly ask the board to seriously consider the various issues outlined
within this letter.

“The club must justify any price increases in the same month as the Energy Bills Support Scheme is scheduled to end and RPI increases are introduced on essential goods and services.

“We would welcome further consultation on this subject and look forward to further dialogue.”