Stadium Management South Africa defends ticket price increases

Orlando Pirates raised their ticket prices for the new season from R60 to R100 and there were some concerns from certain sections of their fanbase.

However, Grobbelaar, who heads an SMSA team that manages FNB Stadium, Orlando Amstel Arena and Dobsonville Stadium, says clubs also need to balance their books.

"So let me answer you in this way around the corner, to host an event of 19 000 capacity at FNB, the security cost amounts to R450 000, security costs alone. That's not the lights, it's not the other staff, it's not medics, it's not fencing, you can do your calculation, how many tickets you need to sell at R60 just to pay for security,” Grobbelaar said.

“Somebody quoted the other day, ‘Football is a sport for people’, but you need to find the middle ground. To be commercially viable you need to find that sweetspot and my personal view is that the ticket prices need to increase."

READ: Puleng Marema pays tribute to Phuti Mohafe as new era begins at Rise and Shine

Speaking to a small group of journalists at FNB Stadium yesterday, ahead of their first game this weekend, when Chiefs will be hosting Golden Arrows in the MTN8 quarter-final on Sunday, Grobbelaar also makes a valid point that, understanding the financial state of the normal football fan, a middle ground should be found.

"The clubs, I think you saw Pirates went up from a 60 to a 100 and Chiefs is now from 60 to 80 for this season but we sit with a derby that sells out in two hours. Demand must dictate sometimes but you need to find the middle ground," he added.