Premier League Hospitality or Weekend Away?

[MarianosOnHisWay]

DP has a big birthday coming up later this year (30). I have £350 saved and should be able to save more by his birthday. I thought I’d have a look at Hospitality tickets for a premier league match at the team he supports. I had no idea what the prices might be, I thought maybe starting from £80-£100 each so £200 for us both. Well they released the first matches this week (not for DP’s birthday weekend but it gave an idea). £314 for the cheapest! So over £600 for both of us! You get a three course meal, posh seats to watch the match, goodie bag of souvenirs, post match cheeseboard and a speech by a former player giving analysis on the match. But for £600 we could have a nice weekend away, in the U.K. or even got somewhere! It seems such a hideous amount of money for one event. But actually, would DP prefer a one off experience of hospitality at his team than a nice hotel and mooching around a city break (which I what I’d prefer!).
What would your DPs or DHs prefer, if they like football?

Your thinking is right that the present is for him, so you should put your own feelings as aide and go for what he would like best. But only if your willing to spend that kind of money.
I'd love a weekend away but I'd go for the football every day because it interests me more.

Does it have to be a surprise or could you ask him?

Obviously, I'm not a massive football fan so I may not understand fully - but i do like going to the theatre and I would rather a weekend away with a normal theatre trip in it - primarily because the idea of spending £600 on an afternoon/evening out just horrifies me. I guess others who are Really into theatre and who regularly book top price tickets for west end performances will feel differently again.

Just an update that the premier league hospitality tickets were released today and I there was a new “lowest” level of hospitality which was £150 per ticket, so £300 altogether- still a lot of money but not as obscene as over £600 and if the normal tickets were going to be £70+ anyway. At this level of hospitality you don’t get a sit down served meal but a “deli sandwich and sides” in an unreserved seating eatery, plus good seats for the match, bar open 90 mins before kick off and 90 mins after end of match.

Hadn't seen this thread before now but was going to say as a football fan I would love the hospitality, glad to see there are cheaper tickets available after all. Have a great time OP

My daughter bought us hospitality tickets for my 60th birthday. It was fantastic. From the different entrance (right outside the players enterance) to the meal, the programme at your table, an ex player coming round chatting to everyone.

I also enjoyed the stadium tour which I've also done. Check that your husband has done it. We got to go into the players dressing room, down the tunnel into the dugout, all accompanied by an ex player. We then had a Q &A with the ex player (a also a former assistant manager) afterwards. Then free entry into the museum with the trophy etc.

as for getting ordinary tickets, they are about £65 for a second tier game. Last week daughter spent 5 hours in a queue on her computer just waiting to register her interest in second tier games. She'll find out this week if she's been successful. So it's not easy to get tickets, depending on how popular the club is.

I know it's a lot of money, and I really admire you for thinking more about what your partner would enjoy on his birthday, than what constitutes value for money.

Thank you @LimesandClementines and @user1471453601

How about getting normal tickets for the match (what are they like £50-70?) and also book a nice hotel in the city for that night and a meal afterwards. But is just normal match ticket “special” enough for a big birthday.

This is what I was going to suggest.
I love football, but would be horrified at the idea of being ripped off to the tune of £600 to see the same match I could see for a fraction of the money.

If you were buying for me, I'd rather have ordinary tickets and then go for a meal separately. Or, as been suggested, even a weekend or overnight somewhere.