Here's an extract from the Yorkshire Post after achieving promotionhttps://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/doncaster-rlfc-chasing-super-league-dream-after-ending-eight-year-stay-in-league-1-4351430rl

I wonder what the cost of Season Tickets and Matchday admission will be at the Dons?

Today, 29th September, Swinton have released their prices

Season Tickets

Adults

Adults

Adults: £22 - reduced to £20 if bought online
Concession: £18 - reduced to £16 if bought online
Juniors: £5 - reduced to £4 if bought online

The Dons have a bit of a pickle here, we were the cheapest in League One (by some way in some cases) and people complained things were too expensive. To be anywhere near average in the Championship it will have to go up quite a bit, which will of course make people kick off. Then they'll complain we're not competing and signing the big names.

Either way is a risk

Yes, pretty much damned if they do and damned if they don't. The 'cheap' pricing policy didn't really bring supporters back in the numbers that could have been expected. Will those who turned up for the play-off final continue to attend? I suspect if they do, they are more likely to be 'pay on the day' fans, rather than buyers of Season Tickets.

The cost of Season Tickets will also look comparatively high as the number of home games jumps from 10 (reduced to 9 with West Wales not taking part) to 13. The cost to pay match-by-match last season was £15 if bought early. I reckon that could well be the 2024 Season Ticket cost - giving an adult price of £15 x 13 = £195.

The match-by-match price might be the same as Swinton's price: £20. That would give Season Ticket holders a saving of just £65. Such a small saving might be a little contentious considering the much larger savings we've been used to.

If the Season Ticket price is pushed above £195, it might price a lot of people out - not sure if £195 might be unaffordable to some though. Charging less than £195 may mean we can't strengthen the squad sufficiently.

Personally, I'm siding towards paying more and being competitive, rather than paying less and getting relegated...

Paying more and getting relegated would be the worst scenario!

What does everyone think?

News from the Free Press about the Dons' ambitions for next seasonhttps://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/other-sport/doncaster-rlfc-competing-with-super-league-clubs-for-new-signings-after-betfred-championship-promotion-4355044rl

Retain fifteen and bring in eight, some of which can multi position, sounds straight forward enough. Lets see what actually happens by about the first week in November.

Average attendances in the Championship in 2023...

Five teams averaged over 2,000

Bradford 3,809; Toulouse 3,252; Fev 3,009; Barrow 2,266; and York 2,037.

Sheffield averaged 1,178.

How many are we going to get next season?

It's a catch22 obviously prices have to increase but no too much to make the fans stay away, i personally think a deal like previous seasons where the price goes down dependent on quantity sold would be the way forward because i feel alot who took in the last game will return. We have owners who are not poor so fingers crossed the prices will remain sensible.

It does surprise me how many people seem prepared to pay on the day at inflated prices compared with the cheapness of Season Tickets. You could get a Season Ticket to cover 9 games when you'd be paying more if you attended four matches at match day prices.

It'll be interesting to see if they have the same offer where Season Ticket prices drop, the more that are sold. We've never met the minimum target for a reduction yet though.

What price do you think would be sensible for a Season Ticket?

I genuinely believe the target would get met next season but do the club take the gamble? Just seen batley's Season ticket prices are £110 which for an established championship side is very reasonable so I'd be hoping around £100. With hally stating they will opt for versatile players over big marquee signings it does look like a relegation scrap is what were going to witness.

Done a bit of checking around...

Here are the Championship Season Ticket prices for 2023 in price order, highest to lowest, with finishing positions in red £240
2. Bradford (3) £229.95
3. Widnes (9) £220
4. London (5) £210
5. Swinton (10) £209
6. Halifax (icon_cool.gif £204 (£240 seated)
7. Fev (1) £200
8. York (6) £199
9. Eagles (4) £195
10. Barrow (11) £190
11. Keighley (13) £165
12. Batley (7) £110
13. Newcastle (14) £99 (£149 seated)
14. Toulouse (2) £80

Ten out of the 14 clubs had prices of £190 or more. The two relegated clubs (Keighley and Newcastle) had prices below £190.

With regards to Central Funding, I believe this is allocated on previous season finishing positions. The teams promoted from League One get the least. Dons and Dewsbury getting least this time around. We're bottom of the pile in this department so Central Funding probably can't be used to subsidise Season Ticket costs.

I fear that having a Season Ticket price of less than £200 could mean we are going to be under-funded and may struggle to stay up unless Club Doncaster are prepared to invest a very serious wedge.

Lovely bit of research

Cheers Jemmo.
Like you said before, the club have got a difficult balancing act, especially considering the very low prices last season.

Josh Guzdek has officially left the Eagles.

Matty Chrimes has also been released. Brandon Douglas has left too, signed for Halifax I believe.

Brandon to Fax was announced a couple of months ago. IIRC, the Seagulls threw their toys when it was announced.