The receipts are in
The Football Association (FA) is officially on the hot seat. According to their latest accounts, the organization dropped a massive £564,400 on hospitality and freebies for FA Council members during the 2025-26 season. That is a 25% jump from the £452,300 spent the previous year.
A major vibe shift
This news is hitting different because it comes while the average fan is feeling the squeeze. With the cost-of-living crisis making games less accessible, supporters have been hitting the streets with protests and walkouts. While teams like Liverpool had to scrap ticket price hikes after fan backlash, the FA decided to double down on luxury for the big wigs.
Who gets the perks?
There are over 120 FA Council members in the mix, including heavy hitters like EFL chairman Rick Parry and PFA chief executive Maheta Molango. These members get the full red-carpet treatment: free entry to England matches and FA Cup events at Wembley, premium seating, plus complimentary food and drinks. They even get to bring a guest for free.
The FA claims the upgrade was just about staying on par with what other clubs are doing. "The hospitality offering at these matches was updated over the past year to better reflect the hospitality offered by clubs," an FA spokesperson said.
The plot thickens
It’s not stopping there. Costs for hosting council meetings nearly doubled, jumping from £18,600 to £33,200. Plus, there’s the "Fellowship of Council," a scheme for former members with nine+ years of service that keeps the freebies flowing even after they step down. FA company secretary Richard McDermott acknowledged that costs are likely to keep climbing, but hinted that changes to the Fellowship are coming in 2027 to lower the bill.
Why it matters
The optics here are definitely an L for the FA. Spending hundreds of thousands on VIP luxury while the community is screaming for cheaper ticket prices is tone-deaf, and it’s fueling real tension between those at the top and the fans who keep the sport alive.
