Ever since West Ham reached their first major European Final in 47 years earlier this week, fans from all around the world have been scrambling to ensure they’re there to witness it in person.
The Europa Conference League final will be held at Prague’s Fortuna Arena on June 7th and, despite the club being allocated fewer than 5,000 tickets, it’s expected that tens of thousands of Hammers fans will be there in the city to experience a moment in the club’s history they didn’t think was possible only a few years ago.
But those hoping to travel to Prague are being forced to pay well over the odds to be there, as airline companies take advantage of increased interest in flights.
Research from BonusCodeBets has revealed flight prices have skyrocketed by more than 500% since West Ham were confirmed as finalists, following their 3-1 aggregate victory over AZ Alkmaar.
A return trip from London to Vaclav Havel Airport in Prague on Tuesday the 6th and returning on Thursday 8th June now costs £519. This five-hour route would see fans travelling via Munich, too.
A quicker route from London involves swinging by Vienna, before connecting to Prague, but that is even more expensive – £546.
More shockingly, if you wanted to travel to Prague in the week before the final, it would cost tourists just £97. That’s a 513% increase in prices for the week of the final.
Flights to Prague typically cost between £60 and £150 but West Ham fans’ interest in being there for one of the biggest games in the club’s history has led to a surge in prices that may now prevent some fans from being able to make it.
For those fans lucky enough to be able to afford the trip, it is set to be one hell of a week in Prague. It has been 47 years since West Ham last made a European final, 43 years since West Ham won a major trophy and 17 years since they reached a major final.
Two of those long runs will end in June. Let’s hope West Ham can end the trophy drought, too!
