Chelsea are increasing the price of their hospitality season tickets by around 7.5 per cent next season despite offering fans fewer matches to attend.
Mail Sport has learned that the club are proceeding with plans to raise the price of corporate tickets even though they will not be playing European football, the group stages of which have always been included in hospitality packages.
Chelsea announced they were freezing the price of general admission season tickets on Thursday, the cheapest of which start at £750, but did not confirm their plans for corporate tickets.
In an email sent to existing ticket holders however, the club have confirmed a major price rise.
While the precise increase will vary across the many different hospitality lounges at Stamford Bridge a pair of season-tickets with a pre-match meal in one area has risen from £13,200 to £14,300.
In their letter to supporters the club explain that the rise is below the rate of inflation, as well as claiming they are getting a discount due to the lack of European football.
Chelsea's three Champions League group games this season were included in the price of all hospitality packages, but there will be no European football of any description on offer next season with Frank Lampard's side currently 11th in the Premier League.
All domestic cup matches are also included however.
It has been a baptism of fire for new co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, who have drawn the ire of supporters for a number of questionable decisions in their first full season at the helm, including the dismissal of Thomas Tuchel back in September.
As a result, the much-maligned duo have chosen to freeze season ticket prices ahead of the 2023-24 campaign in an attempt to begin winning over fans.
In a statement announcing their season ticket plans for next season, the club said: 'This season has not produced the results that any of us want. We know what we are working towards, but equally we know that will require hard work, determination and commitment. We all want to see Chelsea back where we belong and to share many more winning moments together at Stamford Bridge.
'Adult general admission (GA) season tickets have been frozen since 2011/12, meaning since 2005, season ticket prices have fallen in real terms by 32%. Like many industries, our costs have also risen significantly. Operating Stamford Bridge and delivering matchdays have been particularly subjected to inflationary pressures – up 31% since 2018.
'Equally, we are acutely aware of the rise in cost of living and the impact that has on our supporters.
'Looking at all of these factors, the Board has decided to freeze GA season tickets for the 2023/24 season.'
The move comes as a consolation for Chelsea supporters after what has been one of the worst seasons in their modern history, with relegation from the Premier League only mathematically secured last weekend after a six-game losing streak finally came to an end at Bournemouth.