Valencia small shareholders’ association opposes cut to season-ticket discount | OneFootball

La Asociación del Pequeño Accionista del Valencia (APAVCF) has criticised Valencia’s decision to halve the season-ticket discount for shareholder members from 10% to 5% after the club unveiled its new campaign yesterday. The association said in a statement that the change harms this group.

The group argues that being both a shareholder and a season-ticket holder means holding a proportional stake in the club, and that while Valencia is the only club to offer such a rebate, elsewhere buying shares does not necessarily bring direct benefits. The decision, it adds, was not discussed with the association, and it will push to recover the lost 5%.

Historically, holding shares allowed season-ticket holders to keep their seat number. After the association’s creation 25 years ago, a holder with one share moved to nine, as season-ticket holders injected capital and in return saw discounts rise from 10% to nearly 20%.

A subsequent major capital increase fixed the rebate at 15%, presented by the club as a way to raise funds in a difficult period. The shareholder discount was later set at 10%.

Concessions retained include a 10% reduction for over-65s, with attendance incentives of 15% for 100% attendance and 10% for 80%, cumulative for over-65s. The association also backs freezing season-ticket prices against CPI this season and accepts higher matchday prices provided shareholders are not disadvantaged.

It is concerned CPI rises could be applied in the next and following seasons while the shareholder rebate remains 5%, leaving this group among the most affected. It also questions the lack of prior notice and considers the decision a mistake with limited financial upside, particularly in what it calls the last season at Mestalla. The group intends to press for the 5% to be restored.

Source: AS