Stoke City dealt blow as rivals reject plan to tackle ‘shameful’ issue.

Last season, Championship away days cost more than Premier League away days.

Stoke City fans will have to wait for a new cap on Championship away ticket prices after a proposal with “virtually unanimous support” was rejected.

The Premier League has had a £30 away ticket cap since 2016, and it was announced earlier this month that it will remain in place for 2025/26. Stoke have frozen season ticket pricing at the bet365 Stadium since 2008 and provided free coach transport to away league games since 2013.

It is written in sponsorship agreements to try to keep football affordable to the people of the Potteries and they have been joined by clubs such as Derby County to lobby for an away cap.

Derby chief executive Stephen Pearce stated in November that legislation might be in place by 2025/26, but he confessed at a supporters’ forum event yesterday night that there was opposition. He explained:

“They’re not quite there yet. It was (close), but when it came to an EFL vote, I believe several clubs turned it down, which is terrible.

But it’s still on the table, and we’re striving for those away tickets.” Not every club charged more than £30 for away tickets in 2024/25.

It cost £27 at Plymouth Argyle and Cardiff, and £28 at Derby, Oxford United, and Swansea, for example. The highest charge a year earlier had been £37 by Coventry City and Queens Park Rangers.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk