Virgin Media joins forces with FSF to cut costs for away fans

This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.

Virgin Media today [Tuesday 9th August 2016] announced a new partnership with the Football Supporters’ Federation that will see the company support the move towards making Premier League tickets more affordable for away fans across the country.

Partnership will support ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ campaign

Tickets for away fans to Southampton FC subsidised and capped to £20 by Virgin Media

Partnership aims to put fans at the heart of the game

Virgin Media will be subsidising every visiting supporter’s ticket from every Premier League club travelling to St Mary’s meaning adult fans will pay just £20.

This follows the recent announcement that Virgin Media are to become Southampton’s official shirt sponsor from the 2016/17 season.

Virgin Media believes that football fans should be at the heart of the game, and the company’s presence in football is about supporting those fans both home and away. It is about the atmosphere at football matches and the passion and enjoyment that comes with supporting and following a team.

Kerris Bright, Chief Marketing Officer at Virgin Media said: “Football only exists because of the fans and we believe that fans should be at the heart of football.

“We hope by taking this step we set a good example in football for other clubs and sponsors to follow.

“Importantly, capping tickets at £20 to St Mary’s makes it affordable for fans travelling to support their team away from home. We are helping to enact change for the good of fans so they can get a fairer deal.”

Beginning with Southampton’s first game of the new season on 13th August, all of Watford’s travelling supporters will receive a £10 refund on tickets purchased and this will take place on the day of the game.

Kevin Miles, Chief Executive of the Football Supporters’ Federation added:

“Premier League football is immensely popular across the globe and the contribution of fans is central to that. Nobody wants to watch a game played out in front of empty stands.

“Away fans in particular bring noise and colour to grounds, adding to the spectacle immeasurably. But following your side on the road can be expensive and, despite football being wealthy we believe very little of it is used to reduce costs for match-goers.

“Our partnership with Virgin Media shows this doesn’t have to be the case – there are innovative ways for sponsors to engage and support match-going fans and Virgin Media are at the forefront of this.

“Tens of thousands of the most loyal fans will receive cheaper tickets next season thanks to this partnership which will also serve to highlight the obstacles facing travelling fans and reinforce the message that ‘Twenty’s Plenty’.”

Virgin Media is the only UK’s only TV provider to offer all the sporting action on Sky Sports and BT Sport and in one package, Virgin Media.