Fans slam ‘obscene’ ticket prices for Malta-Netherlands match

The Malta Football Association has been accused of greed by fans after announcing the most expensive ticket prices in recent memory for the upcoming World Cup qualifier between Malta and the Netherlands.

Tickets for the October 9 clash at Ta’ Qali National Stadium will cost €100 for adults in the Enclosure West C stand and €50 for children under 12 and over-60s. Millennium Stand prices have been set at €75 (€37.50 concession), while the South Stand costs €40 (€20 concession). For the first time, children from football nurseries – who previously entered free – must also pay €5.

The figures are significantly higher than those charged for the high-profile Euro 2024 qualifier against England two years ago, when the West Stand was €80 for adults and €35 for concessions, Millennium Stand €50 (€20 concession) and South Stand €30 (€10 concession).

Football supporters flooded social media with complaints, calling the prices “obscene” and “disrespectful.”

One fan wrote: “Two people who go to the stadium have to pay €200. With that money I could watch football abroad. It’s a pity for the national team, which is making progress and which deserves a good crowd, but fans will stay away because the MFA is only interested in money.”

Another pointed out that tickets for Malta’s humiliating 8-0 defeat away to the Netherlands in June were cheaper, while Dutch fans benefit from the Oranje ClubCard, which offers discounts and priority ticketing.

“Netherlands’ home matches are played at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Philips Stadion, De Kuip. You certainly cannot compare it with the Ta’ Qali Stadium.”

The South End Core (SEC), the official national teams’ fans group, issued a statement to express its disappointment at the ticket prices for the match.

SEC said it remains concerned that the overall ticket prices are still high. “SEC understands that inflation has inevitably affected costs; however, we strongly believe in a fairer pricing strategy.”

It also appealed for the reintroduction of the Goal Card scheme: “Those who consistently support the national team should be truly rewarded for their loyalty.”

One fan warned that without the South End Core, the players risk playing to an almost empty stadium.

“I, too, shall stay away when greed takes over. Just because people have returned to the stadium to support the national team does not mean that we will continue. I will stay away until it changes.”

Others criticised the MFA for scrapping the ‘Goal Card’ – a popular scheme that once allowed supporters to pay a fixed fee for access to all home qualifiers.

MFA defends pricing

Contacted by Times of Malta, MFA vice-president Matthew Paris defended the strategy, saying it was intended to reward loyal supporters.

“While the MFA remains sensitive to pricing considerations, the pricing strategy for the Netherlands match was designed to reward loyalty,” Paris said.

He noted that member clubs and associations could purchase tickets at a 50% reduced rate, while nursery-aged children could attend for €5.

Every ticket for the Netherlands match will also entitle the holder to a 50% discount for the October 12 friendly against Bosnia, access to a pre-match fanzone, and transport discounts.

Complimentary tickets have also been distributed to fans, including members of the South End Core (SEC), as part of the MFA’s 125th-anniversary celebrations.

The match is expected to draw a large crowd, with Malta hosting Euro 2024 semi-finalists Netherlands, featuring stars such as Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, and Xavi Simons.