Meeting of the Parliament 25 February 2026 [Draft]
I do. There are affordability issues, particularly for away fans but also for home fans, so we need to consider both in the round. For families who attend matches, as well as the ticket prices, there is everything else that goes along with that, even for home matches.
We must recognise the significant economic contribution that Scottish football and its supporters make. A recent report by the Fraser of Allander Institute that was commissioned by the Scottish Professional Football League, the Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Women’s Premier League showed that the national game creates £840 million in gross value added in the economy and supports 14,315 full-time equivalent jobs.
It is clear that ticket revenues are an important part of clubs’ revenues, and we must recognise that. However, I hope and expect that our football clubs will look carefully at what more can be done to balance revenue needs with the need to make attending football matches more affordable, not just for away fans but for home fans. There is no doubt that away fans help to create an atmosphere at football matches, but our football clubs will surely want to boost attendance and fill any seats in the home stands, if they can.
I thank Gillian Mackay for securing the debate. I look forward to hearing the response from the 42 clubs and from the Scottish Government. I agree that clubs should listen to and engage with fans, and I join other members in praising the work that fans do.