For the Holstein Stadium interest group, the ticket price increase is fatal. The community is campaigning for fans to have a say in the upcoming stadium remodelling. They fear that young families and fans in particular could suffer from the drastic increase in prices.
The club reacted cautiously to the increasing anger of the fans. Holstein Kiel recognises the criticism, but at the same time points to the fact that it is waiving surcharges for top matches. This means that tickets for matches against FC Bayern or Borussia Dortmund will not become more expensive for fans. According to club officials, this is the first full price increase since 2017.
Holstein Kiel among the four most expensive clubs
The price for a season ticket in the covered standing area will rise from 224 euros to 272 euros. That is an increase of almost 50 euros. Tickets for the covered seats on the halfway line are particularly expensive. Holstein fans will have to pay 880 euros for season tickets of this type. Last year it was 560 euros.
With this ticket, KSV is one of the four most expensive clubs in the entire league. Only VfB Stuttgart (885 euros), Borussia Dortmund (886 euros) and RB Leipzig (945 euros) are more expensive in a similar category. In comparison, Heidenheim and Wolfsburg charge €490 for tickets of this quality.
Prices were set before the promotion
The interest group points out that the price increase was already fixed before the promotion. These ticket prices for a second division team would have been at least on a par with the prices of a first division team. Nevertheless, the community considers a price increase of ten to 20 per cent to be appropriate.
Season ticket prices have risen dramatically for children and young people
The price increase for standing-room season tickets for children and young people is particularly drastic. While this ticket only costs €45 at Heidenheim, Kiel fans have to pay €192. At fellow promoted team FC St. Pauli, a ticket costs €114. A 13-year-old Instagram user commented on this under the club’s post.
He complains to the club that he can no longer simply afford the ticket. For him, a season ticket for a seat in the east stand would cost 500 euros. Last year he paid 288 euros for it.
Things look better for fans of the Kieler Störche in the day ticket segment. Children under the age of 14 pay 10 euros in advance for an uncovered standing area. For adults, a ticket in this category costs 15 euros. Tickets for a covered standing area behind the two goals have become 2 euros more expensive. This season, fans will pay 17 euros for such a seat.
Increase in ticket prices is an issue in Kiel’s regional politics
The Südschleswigsche Wählerverband has submitted a proposal for a family-friendly stadium. The party’s aim is to reduce ticket prices, especially for children and young people. For the deputy parliamentary group leader and sports policy spokesman, Councillor Pascal Schmidt, it is obvious that the club Holstein Kiel has to cope with a higher financial burden due to the sensational promotion.
The chairman of the parliamentary group, Councillor Marcel Schmidt, is calling on the club to take social factors into account when setting prices. The association, which is supported by public funds, should be aware of its role in society. He expressly emphasises the importance of children for the future of the club. He believes that excluding young people from the stadium through excessive ticket prices is short-sighted. Instead, the group chairman would like to see sustainable thinking and social awareness.
