Fewer Town fans use car parks after big price rise

A long-stay car park next to a football stadium was used less frequently after a special £15 matchday charge was introduced, figures obtained by the BBC show.

Ipswich Borough Council increased matchday charges at its Portman Road car parks on 3 December, three months after Ipswich Town kicked off their Premier League campaign in 2024. Parking for 24 hours at other times is currently £7.00-£7.50.

Data shows there were 8,228 stays across 16 matches between September 2024 and 10 May 2025 – an average of 514.25 per game.

But, between September 2023 and 10 May 2024 in the previous season there were a total of 15,696 across 21 matches – which works out at 747.42 on average.

The authority also made £54,676.89 from matchday parking during the season when the fee was introduced, but £56,797.02 during the same period the year before.

Parking on non-matchdays is £4.90-£5.30 for four hours depending on which of the council's A, B, C or D car parks you use on Portman Road.

The £15 charge was also put in place at the town's West End Road, Portman Road Gippeswick Park and Layard House car parks for Ed Sheeran's Portman Road gigs this summer.

Data from a Freedom of Information request shows 3,277 motorists paid £15 to park in the car parks on 11, 12, and 13 July 2025, generating £49,155.00 for the council.

The matchday fee came into force after the Tractor Boys' promotion from the Championship to football's top flight and applied to three long-stay car parks.

These included Portman Road, which is directly opposite the stadium, and Princes Street and West End Road.

The charge applied to motorists using the car parks in the three hours before kick-off and during the one hour after it.

Despite the club's relegation back to football's second tier, the Labour-run council previously told the BBC there were "no plans to change" the current rate.

Jane Riley, portfolio holder for culture and customers, said she believed the charge was "good value for money for drivers who wish to park right beside the stadium".

The move did not go down well with fans, who described it as "totally wrong" and a way to "take advantage of fans".

Emily Heasman, 32, said: "If they want people to support the club then they should make it a reasonable price so people can afford to park.

"The price of everything is going up these days, and it's almost as if they don't want people to come and enjoy it.

"£15 is steep – I could spend that in the shop or to get a drink."

Ipswich Borough Council has been contacted for fresh comment.

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