A Sunday Post probe has revealed the cost of supporting many clubs in Scotland and England is significantly more than it is in many European countries including Spain, Germany and France.
Critics have accused football clubs of pricing ordinary fans out of watching the game they love.
Michael Brunskill, of the Football Supporters Federation, said: “People tell us they have given up their season ticket because it cost too much.
“The cost of some in Europe is really low. In Germany ticket prices are cheap but they are also very competitive teams.
“The Premier League in England just signed a mammoth TV deal and we would like to see them bring ticket prices down.”
We compared the prices of both top-of-the-range and basic season tickets at top clubs.
While the price of high end tickets was broadly comparable across Europe, Scottish and English clubs charge considerably more for basic season tickets.
For example, in Scotland an adult can buy a standard ticket for £230 at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, £263 at Rangers, £265 at St Johnstone, £280 at Hearts and £299 at Dundee United.
The five cheapest adult Premier League season tickets in England are sold by West Ham for £289 followed by Manchester City at £299, Aston Villa at £335, West Brom at £349, Leicester at £395.
But at Arsenal the cheapest costs a whopping £1,014.
The situation is in stark contrast to Spain, Germany and France, home to three of the most attractive leagues in Europe.
In Barcelona, home to Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi, adult fans can get a season ticket for just £103, while Bayern Munich where German international star Thomas Muller plays charge just £99.
French club Bordeaux charge from £113.
We also looked at the cost of top-of-the-range season tickets.
In England, Arsenal came top in this category as well, charging fans £2,013, while Tottenham Hotspur came second at £1,895.
Next were Manchester City at £1,750, followed by Chelsea at £1,250 and then Manchester United at £950.
The most expensive top end adult season ticket in Scotland is Celtic’s which costs £559.
The second priciest is Rangers at £520 followed by Hearts at £480 while Dundee United and Motherwell come in joint fourth at £420.
Michael Wood, of Supporters Direct Scotland, said fans don’t like paying high prices for football if they feel the team’s performance doesn’t match it.
“Supporters don’t mind paying if they feel what they see is worth it.
“Some fans will turn up regardless but if you are a parent and want to take your kids out then what is better value?”
Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the Scottish Professional Football League, said season ticket pricing is a matter for individual clubs.
However, he added: “The SPFL recognises the increasing efforts of all 42 clubs to provide pricing options which are as attractive and value-for-money as possible, especially given the economic climate we live in.
“In particular, our clubs have made great inroads in offering discounted and sometimes free entry to young supporters which is vital in helping to attract families to our grounds.”
Our study also revealed it’s far cheaper to buy an annual pass to a theme park or the cinema than it is to buy a season ticket.
Film lovers can watch as many movies as they like at Cineworld theatres for £198
a year, while an annual pass for the country’s leading amusement parks costs £209.
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