A total of 39,477 Premier League match attenders, including 2,629 Albion fans, took part in the survey which saw Albion also top the poll for the best matchday security – and the club ranked in the top five for all seven of the main survey categories.
The club’s overall matchday fan experience score was 80.5% versus the Premier League average of 71.5%, and that means the club has finished in one of the top three positions for each of our seasons in the Premier League.
The club consistently outperformed the league average and ranked near the top in several key categories, including: how welcoming fans are made to feel when they arrive at the stadium, cleanliness, the quality of range of food and drink, and the stewarding.
The survey respondents were hugely positive towards the club, believing it to be well run, performs well with regards to youth development, and praised the way in which it engages with the local community.
Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber commented, “We have managed to maintain an incredibly high score for a third consecutive year, which is a fantastic achievement.
“We have continued to work towards the highest-possible standards across the board, and that is credit to every single member of staff.
“Everyone is striving to ensure that we give our fans the best matchday experience we can, while also ensuring we prepare the stadium and meticulously manage our matchday operations for every game.
“I would like to thank our supporters and those of visiting clubs for giving us such a generous score, and praise the efforts of our staff for their continued hard work.
“It is greatly appreciated by me, the chairman and board of directors, as we all play a vital role in supporting Graham and his team to deliver results on the pitch, and this survey shows that we are all working together in the right direction.”
The survey executive summary concluded:
- For the third season in a row, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Matchday Fan Experience Survey respondents are positive towards the club and agree that it is well-run
- The staff at the American Express Community Stadium are highly regarded by respondents, with ratings placing the club in the top quarter of the Premier League rankings for most measures
- Respondents also rated Brighton positively for its community initiatives. Indeed, the club consistently out-performs the Premier League average overall, both in terms of awareness and performance of community initiatives
Several interesting facts also emerged:
- Albion-supporting survey respondents have been attending matches for an average of 17 years; the shortest time span of any club in the Premier League
- Albion-supporting respondents attended an average of 13 home matches and 3 away matches per season, 13th best in the Premier League
- Premier League fans typically attend 14 home matches per season, and 2 away matches, while respondents have been attending their club’s matches for an average of 20 years
- Brighton fans, on average, live 35 miles from the American Express Community Stadium (the Premier League average is 56 miles)
- 98% of Brighton fans surveyed said they were positive towards the club – the same level for each of our three seasons in the Premier League, with 97% saying the club is well-run (versus 98% in 2018/19 and 96% in 2016/17)
- 95% of Brighton fans were aware of the club’s long term vision, 81% believe the club’s communications are open and transparent, and 65% believe the club listens to fans (versus a Premier League average of 43%)
- For overall supporter service, Brighton & Hove Albion is the highest ranked Premier League club
- 40% of Brighton respondents travel to matches by train (versus a Premier League average of 23%), with 81% declaring it a positive experience
- 12% of Brighton respondents use a park and ride facility (versus a Premier League average of 1%)
- 84% of Brighton’s respondents declared the American Express Community Stadium a child-friendly environment (versus a Premier League average of 69%)
- However, American Express Community Stadium attendees are seven times more likely to witness homophobic chanting or comments than fans at other Premier League stadia
- For overall stadium experience, Brighton & Hove Albion ranked very highly with scores of 90% (overall positivity), 88% (atmosphere), and 86% (welcome)