How Many Times Each Premier League Club Needs To Sell Out Its Stadium To Recoup Transfer Spend

With the Premier League back underway this weekend, a new study from CoinPoker.com found that Chelsea would need to sell out their ground an incredible 67 times to earn back what they’ve spent on transfers this summer.

By taking the average price of a Category A Premier League ticket at each club, CoinPoker have been able to calculate the number of times every team needs to fill their stadium in order to recoup their spending. 

Chelsea are the biggest spenders in the league, needing to sell out Stamford Bridge at least 67 times to earn back the £161m they’ve splashed on new players, with tickets costing an average of £59.70.

Manchester City are among the most frugal so far, needing to sell out just seven times to earn back their £21m spend. Tickets at the Etihad this season average £60.

Arsenal have the second-most expensive tickets in the league on average, at £92.90, but would still need to sell out the Emirates 11 times over to cover their £63m spend.

Manchester United would have to sell out 16 times, while Tottenham would need 19 sell-out fixtures.

Liverpool meanwhile are yet to make a permanent summer signing, so currently have a transfer spend of zero, and at £48.09, their average ticket prices are the fourth-lowest in the league.

Bournemouth top the sell-out table, thanks largely due to the tiny, 11,379 capacity of the Vitality stadium and the Cherries’ average ticket price of around £45 among the cheapest in the league.

Club	Average ticket price (Adult, Cat A)	Transfer Spend (£m)	Stadium Capacity	Sell out number
Bournemouth	£45.57	49	11,379	94
Chelsea	£59.70	161	40,341	67
Brentford	£50.00	48	17,250	56
Aston Villa	£73.00	150	42,640	48
Brighton	£63	78	31,876	39
Nottingham Forest	£52.50	62	30,445	39
Ipswich	£56.50	62	29,673	37
Southampton	£50.00	54	32,384	33
West Ham	£61.25	122	62,500	32
Everton	£45.50	43	39,572	24
Newcastle	£59.00	58	52,000	19
Tottenham	£90.72	102	62,850	18
Manchester United	£73.50	89	74,310	16
Leicester	£60.75	31	32,261	16
Crystal Palace	£66.40	26	25,486	15
Wolves	£58.07	28	32,050	15
Fulham	£98	33	25,700	13
Arsenal	£92.90	63	60,704	11
Manchester City	£60.00	21	53,400	7
Liverpool	£48.09	0	61,276	0

Chelsea Once Again Spending Big

Having already spent £161m, Chelsea would need to sell out Stamford Bridge at least 67 times to earn back their summer outlay.

Only Bournemouth would need to sell out their ground more times, though this is mainly due to the small capacity of their ground.

The Blues have so far signed eight players for transfer fees, including the likes of Pedro Neto from Wolves and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City. 

Dewsbury-Hall isn’t the only former Fox arriving in West London this season, ex-Leicester manager Enzo Maresca has also traded the East Midlands for the capital, and will be hoping for a strong start as Chelsea manager.

Manchester City And Arsenal Penny Pinching?

Manchester City have spent just £21m so far, meaning they’d need to sell out the Etihad only seven times – the fewest of any side bar Liverpool.

Pep Guardiola has brought in Brazilian winger Savinho from French club Troyes, but is yet to pull the trigger on any major incoming business in the summer window.

Arsenal meanwhile would have to sell out the Emirates 11 times over, the next fewest after City.

The Gunners have brought in Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, as well as completing the permanent signing of goalkeeper David Raya.

But with clubs under more scrutiny than ever with FFP rules, it seems even the league’s big hitters are being careful not to spend too much before they’ve sold.

Ipswich Splashing The Cash To Secure Survival

Of the three newly-promoted sides, Ipswich Town have both the biggest outlay so far in terms of spending, and the most sell-outs needed to recoup their expenditure.

The Tractor boys have dropped £62m on signings, with ticket prices averaging £56.50. This means they’d need to sell out Portman Road 37 times over. 

Southampton and Leicester City meanwhile have spent £54m and £31m respectively. The Saints are charging an average of £50 at St Mary’s this season, while Leicester an average ticket will cost £60.75.

This means Southampton would need to sell out 33 times, and Leicester only 16 times.