The electric atmosphere that once defined Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has noticeably diminished, and the club's official supporters' trust has identified the primary culprit: unaffordable ticket prices that are excluding the very fans who create the noise.
The Empty Seat Epidemic
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust (THST) has issued a stark warning about the declining matchday experience at the club's 62,850-seat home. Despite the stadium's world-class facilities, empty seats have become an increasingly common sight, particularly during prestigious Champions League fixtures.
Recent home games against European opponents have revealed the scale of the problem. The stadium hosted crowds of just 54,755 against Villarreal and 49,565 for Copenhagen - significantly below the venue's capacity. This comes during a period where Spurs have managed only three wins from twenty home Premier League games in 2025.
Europa League Success Story
The Trust points to last season's Europa League campaign as proof that sensible pricing works. "Europa League nights last season, with sensibly priced tickets, proved the point: fair ticket pricing fills the ground, often with the next generation of Spurs fans. And the noise follows," the THST statement emphasised.
This season's return to the Champions League has shattered that positive momentum. Thousands of empty seats have appeared at what should be the club's flagship European nights, with the Trust directly attributing this to "unrealistic and unaffordable match pricing."
The South Stand Conundrum
Even the much-vaunted South Stand, designed to hold 17,000 passionate supporters, has failed to consistently deliver the intended impact. The Trust described it as not yet becoming "the relentless wall of sound we all dreamt of" - a problem they believe can be fixed through improved pricing and access policies.
The situation has become so concerning that booing has become a frequent feature of home games, despite manager Thomas Frank's public calls to transform the stadium into a fortress.
The Trust's solution is clear: make ticketing fair and affordable to encourage the next generation of match-going fans. Their message to the club is simple: "Fill our home - and we'll find our voice again." The PA news agency has approached Tottenham Hotspur for comment on the matter.
