Growing up in London, I had the privilege of attending rugby and football games for as little as £10 for a kids ticket. However, it saddens me to witness the current prices of sports tickets, as highlighted by Jonathan Liew in his article on the spiraling costs of sports events (Spiralling costs tear through notion of sport as a communal force for good, 11 July).
Fortunately, here in New Zealand, we still have the luxury of affordable family outings to major sports events. Recently, we took our seven kids to the Super Rugby finals between the Chiefs and the Crusaders, and the kids’ tickets were only £6 while the adults’ tickets were £12.
Just this Saturday, we attended the All Blacks v South Africa game with £13 kids’ tickets. Our children love the vibrant atmosphere and have a deep passion for sports themselves. It’s moments like these that make us appreciate how fortunate we are, especially when we hear about the struggles others face trying to get tickets to their favorite teams.
As Liew points out, sports events have become a rich man’s domain, leaving many fans unable to afford the experience. These wealthy clubs should be boycotted. Alternatively, you could consider relocating to New Zealand, where you can attend any sports game you desire for the price of a few cups of coffee.
Gaynor Tierney
Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand
On the face of it, attending professional sporting spectacles may seem out of reach for many people. However, there are still opportunities to watch national or international level competitions in certain sports.
Athletics cross-country races, road races, and events like the Night of the 10,000m PBs on the track are free to watch. Additionally, triathlons, cycle races on the road, and even cricket offer affordable options such as after-tea or fifth-day tickets for Tests. Regional sports events are also available to watch for minimal fees, generally less than £10.
As an athletics coach, I may be biased, but I believe it is still possible to witness high-quality competitions in many sports without spending a fortune.
Juliet Kavanagh
London
Jonathan Liew raises concerns about the escalating costs of watching elite sport. However, 12 million people lining the roadsides and mountains of France and the Pays Basque can experience the biggest annual sporting event in the world, the Tour de France, entirely for free.
With the UCI Cycling World Championships returning to the UK this year in Glasgow, many of us will have the opportunity to watch the same elite riders on local roads without any financial burden. The previous UCI World Championships in the UK, held in rainy Yorkshire in 2019, attracted a total of 712,000 spectators throughout the week of racing.
John McPherson
Otley, West Yorkshire
Speaking as a Chelsea fan, the situation is mixed. Most season ticket prices have remained frozen for years, making the club one of the more affordable options among the top-flight teams in London.
However, cup games in any competition are not included, and their prices have been gradually increasing. Non-season ticket holders also face rising prices.
Therefore, while it may not be too bad for corporate or season ticket holders like myself, it becomes increasingly challenging for others to attend matches without paying exorbitant prices.
Peter Collins
London
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