Millwall are top of the league, but which one?
Sadly for fans of the club sitting 14th in the Championship, it is the ‘cost of mascot experiences’ table, rather than their side being on the cusp of promotion to the Premier League.
Despite their last campaign in the top division being the 1989-90 season, it has not stopped the Lions charging their young fans the most in the top two flights of English football.
The opportunity to walk out with the team for a weekend game at the Den will set supporters back £400.
So what do you get for an experience that costs £30 more than Millwall’s cheapest adult season ticket was priced at for this season?
A home kit, three match tickets, the opportunity to meet the players before the game and a training session with a junior team coach.
The price it costs for being a matchday mascot at each Premier League club has been revealed
There are only four Premier League clubs that charge for the experience of being a mascot
Championship side Millwall have the most expensive mascot package across English football
And if you think that sounds like a bargain, then Alex Neil’s side – who are in their eighth consecutive season in the Championship – offer a £50 discount for midweek games!
The second most expensive package in English football belongs to a side that have been flirting with the prospect of joining Millwall in the Championship next season, Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Vitor Pereira was appointed in December with the club 19th and five points from safety, but he has lifted the side out of the relegation zone, opening up a two point gap over Leicester City.
Despite their struggles on the pitch, young Wolves fans pay the most in the Premier League for a mascot experience, with packages starting at £290 and rising to £395.
Those prepared to pay the prices get the opportunity to walk out alongside Pereira’s side at Molineux, while some bundles include two adult and two junior tickets.
The West Midlands based side are one of just four Premier League clubs who charge for the experience, with local rivals Aston Villa making it free this season.
Last year Villa charged £524 for category B matches and an extortionate £569 for category A games, which included fixtures against the traditional big six, Newcastle and Wolves.
The privilege of walking out alongside Unai Emery’s men is now restricted to their rewards programme; children of military Aston Villa supporters; local schoolchildren; and children and siblings from their charity partners.
Aston Villa used to charge up to a whopping £569 to be a mascot, but it is now free this season
AFC Bournemouth have also made their mascot experience free for this season – an opportunity which cost £300 last year.
It leaves Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town and West Ham United as the only other top-division sides who charge for the experience.
The Seagulls offer a ‘captains package’ at £340, which includes three tickets and a pitchside pre-game warm up with the club mascot Gully the Seagull.
Brighton supporters wanting to save £100 can opt for the ‘standard package,’ with just two tickets and without a pre-match photo in the centre circle with captains and officials.
The Tractor Boys charge £250 for every game, with two tickets and a penalty shootout amongst the benefits for those successful in the ballot.
At the London Stadium the price ranges from £175 to £375, which includes two tickets and an introduction to first-team players.
Although other Premier League sides do not charge for mascot experiences, the clubs often impose requirements or use them to make charitable contributions.
For example at Brentford, it is free for junior season ticket holders aged between six and 12.
West Ham join Wolves, Brighton and Ipswich as the other top flight teams to charge
But children have to buy and wear their latest home kit, which typically retails on their website at £73.
At Old Trafford, the Manchester United Foundation is responsible for allocating mascot experience places, although their waiting list is currently closed due to high demand.
They typically try to offer them to children aged between seven and 13 with long-term or terminal illnesses, or children that attend the Foundation’s schools and projects.
Moving down a division into the Championship, there are nine clubs offering a paid mascot experience for this season.
Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and QPR all charge £350, with a varying number of complimentary tickets included for the eye-watering cost.
There are two included at Bramall Lane, three at the Riverside and four for those attending Loftus Road.
QPR even offer a deal with two mascot experience packages available for £450!
Championship play-off hopefuls Blackburn Rovers, Bristol CIty and Norwich all charge in excess of £200 per game.
The list of fee-paying mascot experiences is completed by Sunderland, who charge £185 and West Bromwich Albion at £150.
Despite the cost, the high demand amongst fans has led the Black Cats to close their waiting list until the 2028/29 season.
Packages for Baggies supporters have also sold out for the rest of the campaign.
