New owner reduces ticket prices at QPR

Fernandes, the owner of Air Asia, completed his takeover last week (AFP/Getty)

QPR have cut the cost of watching Neil Warnock's team and promised to refund part of the price of all season-tickets following the Loftus Road takeover by Tony Fernandes.

The move comes less than a week after Malaysian businessman Fernandes bought a majority stake in the club, and includes a deal which will see under-eights admitted free with a paying adult in certain parts of the stadium.

Fernandes, the founder of AirAsia and owner of the Team Lotus F1 outfit, was aware of disgruntlement among QPR supporters following the decision, announced in May, to increase ticket prices drastically after the club's promotion to the Premier League.

Under previous owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, the cost of admission went up by as much as 40% ahead of the new season.

Vice-chairman Amit Bhatia resigned from his post in protest at the price rises in May.

Prices went as high as £72 for the best seats at category A matches this season, and although the top price has only been reduced to £70, QPR are confident reductions across their pricing structure will be welcomed.

A statement from QPR said the club had undertaken "a full evaluation of our prices across all areas", and listened to feedback from supporters.

The club listed the changes as: "Significant refunds on season tickets. Significant top-line reductions on matchday prices and the continuation of the £5 adult members discount. Introduction of a third matchday pricing category, representing excellent value for money for QPR supporters. Under-eight's go free - all children under the age of eight will now be able to attend every QPR home fixture (subject to availability) free of charge, when accompanied by a full paying adult, in the silver and bronze areas of the stadium."

The cheapest adult (over-21) tickets will now range from £25 for category C games to £45 for category A games.

QPR chief executive Philip Beard praised the new owners' foresight.

Beard said: "These changes show how serious the owners are about taking the fans' views on board.

"Ticket prices are imperative to the business structure and we are confident our supporters will react positively to the news and help make Loftus Road a fortress on matchdays.

"I would personally like to thank the QPR staff, in particular those directly affected by the previous ticketing structure, for their professionalism and patience in responding to the fans' complaints."