BBC price of football survey reveals young fans more likely to play video games than attend matches

The BBC's annual study on the price of football has revealed that large swathes of young adult football fans remain put off by the cost of match day tickets - despite the majority of ticket prices having fallen or stayed put over the past 12 months.

More than four in five (82%) young adults said the cost of tickets put them off going to more matches, while 55% of all fans surveyed said they had stopped going to games or go to fewer matches as a day at the football is so expensive.

"Of the top four leagues in England, 92% of clubs offer special prices for young adults, separate from any student concessions," the BBC reported. "The age ranges vary from 16-24 years old, with most targeting the 18-21 bracket.

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"The biggest discounts come in the Premier League, where an Arsenal member aged 16-19 can purchase a season ticket for £384 compared to the cheapest adult season ticket at £891 - a saving of £507.

"Chelsea offer the biggest discount on single matchday tickets for their under 20s, who can pay £15.50 instead of £47 - a saving of £31.50. But despite these discounts, 81% of the young adult football fans living in England who were polled say they feel the cost of tickets is stopping them from going to more matches."

The poll also investigated how young people consume sport today, showing young football supporters are more likely to engage with the sport via a games console or computer (61%) than by playing in a team (37%), while a third (33%) play fantasy football.

Three quarters (74%) said they get their football news from social media compared to only a quarter (24%) from print newspapers.

The extensive survey took into account 200 clubs across the country and polled the views of 1,000 18 to 24-year-old fans.