How to enjoy the new football season without breaking the bank

The Premier League season is back! Title favourites Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal have already bagged their first wins. Even newly-promoted Sunderland kicked things off with a bang. 

But let’s be honest, loving football can take a serious toll on your wallet. 

Between season tickets, kits, subscriptions and matchday pints, it’s easy to spend more than you planned.  

But the good news is, with a little savvy thinking, you can soak up every goal, chant and last-minute winner without emptying your bank account.  

Here’s how to enjoy the season smartly and affordably. 

Save on season tickets  

Season tickets are cheaper than buying individual match tickets, if you go to every home game. But prices have crept up since the pandemic, with many clubs charging eye-watering amounts.  

Fulham’s priciest season ticket hits £3,084, while Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea all sail well past the £1,000 mark. 

Seven Premier League clubs are freezing prices this season. But if you're open to supporting a smaller or newly-promoted team, you could save big. For example: 

• Burnley: adult season tickets from £335 

• Luton Town: around £510 

• Salford City (League Two): from just £180, with kids' tickets starting at £15 

You don’t have to ditch your love for top-flight football, just consider catching the rising stars or experiencing a new stadium atmosphere at a fraction of the cost. 

Just want to catch the odd match?  

Not everyone wants (or can afford) a full season ticket. But most big clubs now require you to be a paying member just to buy a ticket. At Manchester City, for example, you need a £35 membership just to have the right to buy a ticket for big games.  

So again, you might want to step away from the Premier League and head to lower league clubs.  

Championship side Swansea City, for example, tend to have tickets freely available, where a standard individual match ticket is £29-£34 for adults. 

Better still, head to a League One match, where you can watch the likes of Stevenage play for just £25 for an adult and child under 12 – the price of four beers at Spurs’ stadium!  

Don’t forget the Carabao Cup 

If the prospect of watching Stevenage doesn’t fill you with joy and only your club will do, then try a Carabao Cup game instead. Early rounds are cheaper and top clubs often rotate their squads, giving you a chance to see exciting up-and-coming talent without Premier League prices. 

See tomorrow’s stars at academy matches  

Another way to bag cheaper tickets for your own club is to see the future stars in action at academy games. Manchester United’s under-21s, for example, play their home fixtures about 16 miles from Old Trafford. And, it’s completely free.  

Use someone else’s season ticket  

Know someone who can’t make a game? Many clubs let season ticket holders share their seats digitally. 

Spurs, for example, allow up to 20 different friends to be added to one ticket account. If you cover the cost (or buy them a pint in return), it’s a win-win. 

Watch women’s matches  

The Women’s Super League (WSL) is booming and, following the Lionesses’ Euros success this summer, promises to be more exciting than ever this season. And it’s a bargain. 

• Adult tickets: often under £10 

• Kids: sometimes as little as £3–£5 

• Increasingly, matches are held in the men's stadiums, offering a full-on matchday experience. 

So if you're after high-quality football at a low price, WSL games are a must. 

Watch smart at home (or in the pub)  

Let’s face it, nothing beats the stadium buzz. But if that’s not on the cards, there are lots of budget-friendly ways to watch: 

Free TV channels 

• BBC, ITV, and S4C often show major tournaments like the FA Cup, with no subscription needed. 

Streaming services 

• NOW: buy day or monthly Sky Sports passes, there’s no contract required. 

• Free trials: keep an eye out for trial offers from platforms like Amazon Prime, Discovery+ or DAZN. 

• YouTube and more: some smaller matches and highlights are available free on YouTube and official league channels. 

TV + broadband bundles 

• Compare packages from Sky, Virgin Media, BT and others. Bundling your broadband and sports channels can save money in the long-run. 

• Look out for limited-time deals and family-friendly packages. 

At the pub 

If you decide to watch a match in the pub then choose wisely! Some pubs offer free half-time food - just don’t let the bar bill defeat your savings. 

Don’t pay the full price for kits  

We all love a shiny new shirt, but £70+ per season adds up. Instead, try: 

• Facebook Marketplace 

• eBay 

• Vinted 

Or join a local sports gear swap group and trade kits, boots, and shin pads for free. 

Got a football-crazy youngster whose passion is costing you the earth? Check out our tips for parents of football crazy kids.