It's one of the most hotly-anticipated Edinburgh Derbies in recent memory, but steep ticket prices for the Scottish Cup Semi-Final between Hearts and Hibs have left many fans fuming.
With prices set by the Scottish Football Association (SFA), supporters will be expected to cough up as much as £35.00 for the privilege of attending the crunch match at the national stadium in Glasgow on April 16.
Factoring in the cost of travelling to the other side of the M8, plus other matchday expenses, it could prove a costly day out for the average family.
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It comes in the wake of reports of a nationwide cost of living crisis that some experts predict could be worse than the financial crash of 2008.
Club officials and supporters groups for both Edinburgh sides have hit out at the pricing plan, stressing that many will struggle to afford the game in the current financial climate. Fans have also been upset at the early 12.15pm kick-off time for the game.
The SFA, however, have reportedly refused to budge following the widespread criticism, with ticket prices set at £25 for adults seated in the West and East stands and £35 for those with briefs in the North and South stands at Hampden Park.
But, while the clubs and their supporters are irate, how does the SFA's pricing plan for the 2022 semi-final compare with yesteryear?
With the 2020 semi-final between Hearts and Hibs played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we've wound the clock back a full 16 years to the previous occasion supporters attended an all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup semi.
Back on April 2, 2006, Hampden Park played host to the most high profile Edinburgh Derby witnessed in a century, as Hearts defeated their bitter rivals 4-0 in front of 43,180 fans.
Tickets for the occasion were far cheaper than today at £22.00 for the North and South stands and £18.00 for the West and East stands.
However, when inflation is taken into consideration, a very different story emerges.
Using an official inflation calculator for 2022, hosted by UK financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown, we can tell you that today's fans are technically getting a better deal than their 2006 counterparts.
When adjusted for inflation, the 2006 prices are hiked up to £29 and £36 respectively. Or, to put it another way, in 2022, fans are making a small saving of £4 for the goalmouth stands at Hampden and £1 for the best seats in the house - or are they?
Seeing as the 2008 credit crunch was still another two years away, it could be argued that the fans of 2006 were unburdened by the cost of living crisis that is currently affecting UK households in 2022.
Hearts will face Hibs in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup on Saturday, April 16 2022 in a 12.15pm kick-off at Hampden, with the clubs receiving a 50/50 split of allocated tickets.
The following day, on Sunday April 17, Celtic and Rangers will clash in the other semi-final to see who will face either Hearts or Hibs at Hampden for the Scottish Cup Final on Saturday, May 21.
