Newcastle United chief executive officer Darren Eales has explained the club's decision to raise season ticket prices by five per cent from the 2025/26 campaign.

The move comes as scheduled long-term price-freeze deals reach their end, meaning all season ticket holders will be paying the same for ticket categories around the ground. For members of the fanbase who had instead previously been renewing their ticket annually, the move is an increase from the previous eight-month scheme. However, those monthly payments will likely now be lower due to the longer payment schedule.

Newcastle have announced the maximum increase for an adult season ticket holder will be £4.85 per month / £3.06 per game for those not moving category. The club have also confirmed there will be no there will be no increase in all Domestic Cup Scheme ticket prices for Carabao Cup and FA Cup matches in 2025/26, while junior prices will be frozen from next season.

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The move comes after Newcastle released their financial accounts for the 2023/24 financial period, with the north east outfit showing an increase in matchday revenue - from £37.9m to £50.1m.

Confirming the news, Darren Eales, Newcastle United's CEO, said: "Raising ticket prices is a decision we make reluctantly but it is one that is unavoidable if we are to keep pace and build towards our collective ambitions.

"In a world of profit and sustainability rules, we must continue to face up to challenging decisions and find a balance that keeps football affordable while ensuring the club is able to compete. Without this approach, achieving the sustainable success we all crave simply becomes impossible.

"We continue to relentlessly pursue other revenue opportunities, and we have achieved rapid commercial growth to fuel our progress, as well as offsetting growing operational costs."

Eales also spoke at length about making Newcastle a 'fortress' and continuing to take the club's Fan Advisory Board feedback on board.

The chief added: "I want to recognise the huge role our season ticket holders continue to play in making St. James' Park a fortress. We understand price rises are difficult, and we have therefore taken steps to ensure there is even greater flexibility around payments.

"Our ongoing commitment to affordable football is reflected in our pricing for league and cup matches at St. James' Park. We continue to fair very favourably against other clubs in domestic and European competitions, and in comparison to other elite sports and entertainment events. That commitment remains.

"I want to acknowledge the club's Fan Advisory Board members for their clear feedback. I am sorry that this is not the universal price freeze you asked for, but I hope you understand why this is a decision we must take after careful consideration.

"I thank all of you sincerely for your continued support and hope as many season ticket holders as possible will join us for another exciting season."

In response to the price rises, the Fan Advisory Board responded: "We unanimously reject the decision by the club to raise adult season ticket prices by 5% for the third consecutive season.

"Against the backdrop of the long-term deal ending, and the announcement made by the club earlier this week regarding improved financial performance for the year to 30 June 2024, we reject the choice made by the club to increase the cost of all adult season tickets by a further 5%. Our position remains that there should be no further increases on top of the end of the long-term freeze.

"We are hugely disappointed and request full consultation on all other ticketing decisions. This includes, individual match tickets, cup scheme and memberships."