Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers must learn from Rangers vs Celtic ticket price controversy
Rangers are enjoying a strong first season under the ownership of the 49ers Enterprises.
Purchasing a majority stake in Rangers back in May 2025, Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers Enterprises marked the start of an exciting new chapter in Gers history.
However, one of their first big decisions in the appointment of Russell Martin saw them get off to a shaky start in Glasgow, but naming Danny Rohl as his replacement has brought about significant improvement.
As such, Gers are now in with their best chance of winning the Scottish Premiership title since they last were crowned champions in 2020-21, and what a way that would be to mark the 49ers’ first season in charge at Ibrox.
Indeed, they haven’t got too many decisions wrong since their installation as Rangers owners, but their latest call surely won’t gone down well with the Ibrox faithful.
Rangers set crazy ticket prices for Celtic Cup clash
Rangers are now preparing for a back-to-back Old Firm derby week, starting on 1 March when they welcome Celtic to Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership.
Gers will again clash with their inter-city rivals on 8 March, this time, however, it will see them contest a Scottish Cup quarter-final.
Scottish Cup rules have entitled Celtic to request up to 20 per cent of Ibrox’s capacity for away fans, and an agreement has been reached on allowing Greens supporters to take up the full Broomloan Stand behind the goal.
As such, it’s set to be an old-school, electric Old Firm atmosphere at Ibrox on 8 March, but if Rangers fans want to come and back their team, then they will have to pay a premium price.
That’s because it’s been announced that Rangers will be charging fans £53 for an adult ticket for this game, with concessions not getting much of a discount either, with those tickets set at £43.
It’s set to be the one of the biggest gate receipts generated in Old Firm history, but it comes at the expense of the hard-working, dedicated fan, and that isn’t something that should be celebrated.
Naturally, these tickets are going to price out a lot of supporters on both sides of the Glaswegian divide, and so whilst we can still expect to see Ibrox packed out on 8 March, many fans who ordinarily would attend, will now not be able to.
49ers learn from the response to Celtic ticket prices
The notion of raising ticket prices for loyal supporters just because it’s a big game is one that won’t sit right with many, and for good reason.
It sends the wrong message, and punishes fans who have travelled the length and breadth of the country to follow Gers, midweek or weekend, whatever the weather.
If anything, an occasion such as this one, and especially after having just played Celtic seven days before that in the Premiership come 8 March, would be a perfect time to slash ticket prices and reward supporters.
So, this is something Cavenagh and his team must learn from moving forwards into their Rangers reign. Gers fans are rare. Not many teams in world football get the support they give their team.
The 49ers must protect that, and their relationship with them, but pricing tickets like this won’t help.
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