Super League of Malawi (Sulom) is set to increase gate entry fee for a standard ticket by K1 000.
The top-flight league governing body’s vice-president Ronald Chiwaula justified the intended increase in an interview on Tuesday attributing it to the high cost of living.
“Yes, there is a proposal to raise it by K1 000 taking into consideration that the cost of living has gone up,” he said.
FCB Nyasa Bullets welcomed the proposed hike, saying it suits the current economic climate.
The club’s acting chief executive officer Albert Chigoga said: “Anything pointing to entry fee adjustments is a welcome development because the cost of preparing our teams for matches has gone up as well.”
Mighty Wakawaka Tigers co-owner Robin Alufandika was also of the same view.
“The cost of living has gone up and it is only necessary that gate entry fees should also be hiked. I am sure football lovers appreciate that things are no longer the same as they were at the start of last season and that is the only route to take,” he said.
However, a Ndirande Township-based Bullets supporter Burton Chilenga said the hike will affect patronage.
“Life has become very tough and although the hike is justified, it will not be easy to raise K4 000 or K5 000 to watch games. As for me, I think I will now be selective in which games to watch because I cannot afford,” he said.
Last season, Sulom also raised gate charges by at least 50 percent.
The flagship league-runners also officially classified matches as A for those rated high-profile while others were rated B and C.
A standard ticket for high-profile matches was raised to K4 000 from K3 000. This means in the forthcoming season, it will cost K5 000 while a ticket for B-rated matches was hiked to K3 000 from K2 000, meaning that in the coming season, it will be at K4 000.
Category C standard ticket was at K2 000 and in the 2025 season, it will go up to K3 000.
