IN a move that could fundamentally reshape the landscape of the Scottish game, First Minister John Swinney has pledged to “actively consider” a £25 cap on away ticket prices in the SPFL.
The commitment came during a heated session of First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, following growing pressure from supporters’ groups and a high-profile campaign led by the Scottish Greens. With the cost of following a team on the road skyrocketing, the proposal aims to ensure that football remains accessible to the working-class fans who are the lifeblood of the sport.
Pressure Mounts After Falkirk Boycott
The issue has reached a boiling point in recent weeks, sparked by a scheduled boycott by Falkirk fans for their upcoming trip to Celtic Park on February 1. Despite the Bairns charging Celtic fans just £25 for their recent meeting at the Falkirk Stadium, the Hoops have held firm on a £36 price tag for the return fixture—a move that has unified rival fanbases in protest.
During FMQs, Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay—who has been the driving force behind the “Twenty’s Plenty” style movement—urged the First Minister to step in. She highlighted that fans of Celtic, Motherwell, and Falkirk have all displayed banners in recent weeks backing the Scottish Supporters Collective and their calls for a universal £25 ceiling.
“Football is meant to be for everyone,” Mackay stated. “At a time where the cost of living is ever-rising, there are fans being priced out of attending. There are already price caps in place in England and in many other European countries. Clubs would be nothing without their fans.”
Government Intervention on the Horizon?
Responding to the plea, Mr. Swinney admitted that the social and community value of football cannot be ignored. “I am very happy to give consideration to this particular issue,” the First Minister replied. “It is important that individuals are able to engage in watching their football teams… and to appreciate the solidarity of being together with fellow fans.”
While the Scottish Government has previously been hesitant to intervene in the commercial running of the SPFL, the growing “democratisation” movement—which also includes calls for increased fan ownership—is becoming impossible to ignore in an election year.
The Road Ahead: A ‘Fan Summit’
The next step in the process will be a dedicated Fan Summit hosted by Gillian Mackay in the coming months. The event will bring together club officials, the Scottish Supporters Collective, and the Sport Minister to thrash out a framework that works for both the clubs’ balance sheets and the fans’ pockets.
With English Premier League fans enjoying a £30 cap for over a decade, many feel Scotland’s delay in implementing similar protections is long overdue. For the thousands of fans planning their travels for the remainder of the 2026 campaign, Swinney’s “active consideration” is a glimmer of hope that the days of being “ripped off” at the turnstiles are numbered.
What do you think, fans? Is £25 the right number, or do we need to go even lower to save the matchday experience? Have your say in the comments below!
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Aberdeen fan with years of experience in the sports media industry, Peter provides expert analysis and a dedicated "Dons" perspective on the Scottish game. He is passionate about giving a voice to fans across the entire Scottish football pyramid.
