Bolton Wanderers have returned to the Championship following a seven-year sabbatical that included a year in League Two.

The Trotters achieved promotion through the third-tier play-offs for the third time last season, defeating Stockport County in the final, and those inside the Toughsheet are excited to face new opponents in 2026/27.

Some away fans are also looking forward to returning to Bolton after a long absence, given that the Toughsheet Stadium is one of the larger grounds in the Championship and has the potential to be a good away day, depending on the outcome.

However, local rivals Preston North End’s joy about another away day to Bolton has been severely dampened after the Lilywhites disclosed how much the Trotters were charging for tickets.

Preston North End fans have criticised Bolton Wanderers’ away ticket price.

The enthusiasm for the new season is rising, especially since Preston and Bolton will reignite a Lancashire rivalry that hasn’t been seen since February 2019.

Those who do go to the Toughsheet as Preston fans, however, will pay a premium, with an adult ticket costing a hefty £36. A ticket for a 14-year-old will cost £20.

Preston fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the pricing for a Championship game, particularly for a newly promoted second-tier club. Premier League away tickets are limited to £30 per adult.£36 is absurd for a local game,” one North End supporter wrote. “£36?! “They know they were in League One last year?” another asked.Wow, they’re ripping us off there!” Preston’s announcement of the game’s ticket prices elicited responses such as “That pricing is disgraceful,” among others.

Some Bolton fans are dissatisfied with their club’s decision to charge Preston fans £36 for an adult ticket, fearing it will be used against them in the upcoming game at Deepdale in March.Well, we can’t complain when we’re hit with the same or worse prices on the return game. “Terrible pricing,” one Trotters fan said. “Totally scandalous from the club. This will have an impact on our fans because clubs will mirror it in the reverse fixture,” another remarked.

An controversial decision all around, and one that raises the question of why the EFL has not placed a price cap on away tickets in the same manner that the Premier League does.

Bolton Wanderers’ ticket decision calls into question price cap laws.

The Premier League has maintained a £30 cap on away tickets for ten seasons, and it was agreed back in March that the rules would be extended for another couple of seasons.

As a result, away attendance increased from 82% to 91%, and stadium atmosphere improved.

While there is little doubt that the Toughsheet Stadium will provide some excitement on the pitch this season, the fact that spectators are paying more for a lower-quality league is disturbing.

“We seriously need to launch the ‘£20 is plenty’ initiative across the entire league. Anything more than £25 is plain ludicrous. Something the EFL and Preston North End should look into,” one Preston supporter said in response to the Bolton ticket costs, emphasising that it isn’t simply a one-team problem in the Championship.

With clubs finding it increasingly difficult to remain financially viable, and with no limits on what they can charge away clubs, they will naturally feel compelled to push the boundaries of what fans will pay to support their team, knowing there will be no repercussions.

The longer clubs continue to charge more for an away ticket than Premier League clubs, the more pressure fans will put on the EFL to implement a cap, which will be well received by almost every match-goer.