Stadium Management SA, who run Kaizer Chiefs' home venue FNB Stadium, on Wednesday addressed the burning issue around the recent ticket price hike.
With spectators making a return, albeit at only 50 percent capacity as per government Covid regulations, Amakhosi announced that it would cost R70 for a general ticket instead of the R40 amount charged before the pandemic.
There's been an uproar from fans since that update.
"In the lead up to the new season we had extensive discussions with Kaizer Chiefs as a club to ensure a greater fan and stadium experience. That entailed opening up more gates, access points, and a new ticketing system that we investigated and implemented – then we were hit by the Covid regulations," SMSA director Bertie Grobbelaar told journalists.
"And that is an additional layer of security, checking and redesigning of access. It necessitated an increase for the club to cover the costing of all these additional add-ons. If you plan an event with 8000 spectators, 2000 of those tickets are complimentary allocations – from the income of tickets, only 6000 you will need to cover costs. So, this was a commercial and financial discussion… A joint decision with the club."
Grobbelaar elaborated that the old price point could no longer go the distance in covering costs that come with hosting a high-level Premier Soccer League fixture.
"I can assure you that this weekend, the fixture is going to be run at a loss. We need to marry the two. If you take the 8000 tickets sold in a normal attendance, with 2000 as complimentary, it leaves you with R240 000 to cover the costs. That is inclusive of JMPD, security, medical, the EMS requirements – it's not electricity for the floodlights, stadium staff and personnel, so the price of R40 is no longer viable," he explained.
