Newcastle United and Everton supporters join forces to slam ‘excessive’ pre‑season ticket prices

Newcastle United and Everton supporters have found themselves in rare agreement after details emerged of ticket prices for the clubs' upcoming pre-season friendly at Murrayfield.

What should have been a straightforward summer meeting has instead sparked a backlash from both fanbases, with many questioning whether the cost of attending has become ‘excessive' for a match that ultimately carries no competitive significance.

Newcastle vs Everton friendly in Edinburgh under fire over ticket pricing

The two Premier League clubs are scheduled to meet at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, the former home of Heart of Midlothian, on August 12th as part of their preparations for the 2026/27 season.

Organisers have promoted the fixture as a showcase event at Scotland's national rugby stadium, which holds more than 67,000 spectators and will host the match during the busy Edinburgh Festival period.

Official pricing information stated that adult tickets would start from £35 and juniors from £17, plus booking fees.

However, supporters attempting to purchase seats reported prices ranging from around £45 to as much as £88 in certain sections of the stadium, before transaction charges were added.

Many fans also highlighted booking fees of between £5 and £10 per transaction, pushing the overall cost even higher.

For families travelling to the game, particularly those purchasing multiple tickets, the total expense can quickly rise beyond £150 before travel, food and accommodation are even considered.

The reaction online was swift.

Newcastle supporters pointed to the added costs of travelling to Edinburgh during one of the city's busiest and most expensive periods of the year, while Everton fans questioned why a pre-season friendly was being priced closer to a major competitive fixture.

Others argued that summer friendlies have traditionally offered a more affordable way for younger supporters and families to watch their team in action.

Despite the criticism, organisers are still expected to attract a sizeable crowd given the travelling support both clubs regularly generate.

FGG says: Newcastle and Everton fans have a fair point here

There is a growing feeling across football that every event is being treated as a premium product, and this fixture appears to have struck a nerve because it sits firmly in the category of ‘it's only a friendly'.

Pre-season matches serve a clear purpose – managers get minutes into players' legs, supporters get their first glimpse of new signings and fans enjoy a day out before the serious business begins, but they certainly have never traditionally been viewed as must-see, premium-priced occasions.

The frustration is also understandable because neither set of supporters is attending a home game. Newcastle fans are travelling hundreds of miles from St James' Park, while Everton supporters are making a lengthy trip away from the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Add accommodation costs during festival season, and the bill quickly becomes significant.

Of course, Murrayfield is a major venue and staging events there comes with costs. But when ticket prices begin approaching Premier League levels for a non-competitive fixture, it is hardly surprising that supporters start asking questions.