FA Increase Cup Final Ticket Prices by up to 22 per cent

The Football Association (FA) has increased ticket prices by up to 22 per cent on last year for next month’s FA Cup final, apoplectic the most expensive of which will cost as much as £115 (US$188.2), rather than £95 ($155.5) in 2010.

The cheapest tickets available stand at £45 ($73.6), a £5 ($8.2) increase from last year, while other tickets will be available at £85 ($139.1) and £65 ($106.4).

Both teams that reach the final on 14th May will receive 25,000 tickets each, with the remaining tickets going to members of Club Wembley, organisations affiliated to the FA and volunteers from grassroots football clubs across the country.

This weekend’s semi-finals have matched fierce Manchester rivals United and City together at Wembley on Saturday, before Bolton face Stoke the following day. The winners of each will compete the final in May, with Bolton or Stoke earning a place in the Europa League with victory.

According to media reports, the FA could expect to face criticism for the price hike, with the recession still having a major effect, especially as all four semi-finalists must travel down from the north of England – making the trip all the more expensive for soccer fans.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has predicted chaos in the capital this weekend, with an army of fans from all four teams traveling to London, as well as the Virgin London Marathon also taking place – with up to 50,000 runners expected to take part, plus spectators.