Ivan Gazidis pledges to re-evaluate Champions League ticket prices in open letter

AC Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis has sent a message to fans regarding the price of tickets for the home Champions League group stage games.

There has been plenty of backlash after the Rossoneri unveiled their ticket prices for the home group games, but the club initially justified the prices by claiming that they are in line with the international market.

Nonetheless, the big price hike is clear for all to see. For a ticket in the Curva Sud it will cost €119, for the first tier they are €139 to €200, for the third ring from €69 to €89, and the highest price is €490.

As a comparison, a ticket for Milan vs. Lazio after the international break ranges from €19 in the third tier to €94 for the best possible seats. Inter’s game against Real Madrid will cost €48 in the Curva Nord – less than half compared to Milan’s prices – and this caused the Curva Sud and the Milan Club Association to invite the club to reconsider.

Below is the letter that has come from Gazidis, which has been relayed by MilanNews.

“Dear Milanisti,

“I appeal to all of you to address the concerns that have been raised regarding the price of tickets for our exciting and long-awaited return to the Champions League.

“First of all, I personally want to assure you that every decision of the Club’s management team is made exclusively in the interest of the Club itself and, consequently, of the entire Rossoneri community.

“Unfortunately we are still facing the difficult situation due to the pandemic and Milan have suffered a lot from the absence of an audience at the stadium in the last 18 months, in particular for the lack of emotion and extraordinary energy that the fans generate, but also for the lack of an audience. impact on the Club’s revenues and financial position.

“I also want to reaffirm the key, fundamental commitment that inspires all our actions: our only goal is to make our supporters proud by creating a successful team in a financially sustainable way. All revenues generated by the Club are reinvested to achieve this priority goal. It is essential to grow revenues and reinvest them well in Milan: this remains our path to success. With this in mind, we can only be united to bring our Milan back to the top of European football.

“Obviously ticket sales are an important part of this equation and throughout the season we try to find a price balance that allows us to generate the necessary revenue, without excluding or penalising any part of our vast and passionate supporters.

“But in this case I have clearly understood your concerns and I realise that we are not aligned in the balanced way that we want. Therefore, we have reassessed our decision and will adjust the prices of Champions League matches to a level that we believe is correct anyway. The sale of tickets will therefore be temporarily suspended and reopened in due course with a revised tariff approach, also taking care of all related procedural and administrative aspects.

“To maintain an honest and transparent relationship, if we make questionable choices, it is our duty to admit it, but it is equally important to feel your trust and support for any decisions made, through constructive dialogue, as these decisions are always made solely for good. of Milan.

“On behalf of the Club and the property, I thank you for your passionate and continued support, which will be vital to our mission to bring AC Milan back to the place it deserves.

Forza Milan, always. Ivan Gazidis.”